ELIZABETHTOWN – Pender held off East Bladen 65-60 Friday night in Four County Conference boys basketball action. The Eagles had a chance to tie the game in the final minute that missed, then had to foul which led to a pair of clinching free throws for Pender.
Sophmore Adonis Avery lit up the scoreboard with seven 3-point baskets and topped the East Bladen scoring with 23 points. Senior Eian Hines pumped in 19 points for the Eagles, and senior Demetrius Wooten added 9 points.
Avery fired in a trio of 3-point baskets in the first quarter, and Hines tossed in 2 baskets and a free throw as the Eagles edged in front 17-15. Demetrius Wooten added a basket, and junior Xavier Wooten hit a free throw.
Guard Jarious Williams rallied the Patriots with ten second-quarter points as Pender took a 36-32 halftime lead.
Avery bombed in two more 3-pointers for East, and senior Denzel Johnson nailed another 3-ball. Hines delivered 2 baskets and a free throw, and Demetrius Wooten made a foul shot.
Andre Devane who led the Patriot scoring with 16 points threw in 6 points in the third period as the visitors stretched their lead to 48-41.
Hines dropped in 5 more points in the third quarter, Avery sank 2 free throws, and Demetrius Wooten tacked on a basket.
Avery drained 2 more 3-pointers in the final quarter, and Sadique Ingram buried another 3-ball. Demetrius Wooten popped in 2 more baskets, and Hines netted a basket and 2 free throws. Demarius McArthur added a basket as the Eagles outscored Pender 19-17.
Williams finished with 14 points for Pender, and Rodney Hansley followed with 10 points.
EAST BLADEN (60) – Demetrius Wooten 9, Eian Hines 19, Xavier Wooten 1, Denzel Johnson 3, Aaron Laforte, Adonis Avery 23, Deondre Harris, Joshua McKoy, Jordan Payton, Sadique Ingram 3, Demarius McArthur 2.