Contributed
BLADENBORO – Sophmore Shyron Adams drained a 3-point shot with 11 seconds remaining that lifted West Bladen to a 77-73 victory over East Bladen Saturday in the consolation bracket of the Adidas Christmas Tournament.
After Adams’ big shot put the Knights up 75-73, teammate Tyre Boykin pulled down a big defensive rebound and cashed in 2 free throws with 2 seconds left to seal the verdict.
“We probably needed that win as much as any win in my career,” said Knight Coach Travis Pait. “This team needed that. Anytime that it is East versus West. It is a big game.”
The Eagles trailed by 12 points in the third quarter and were still down 66-60 with 4:57 remaining. Sophmore center Javant McDowell muscled in 4 rebound baskets, and senior guard Keshaun Davis drove for 2 baskets and a free throw during a 13-3 run that vaulted East in front 73-69 with 49 seconds left.
McDowell fouled out 14 seconds later, and Boykin hit the first free throw. Adams ran down the rebound of the second free throw, and Boykin was fouled and made both foul shots to close the gap to 73-72 with 29 seconds remaining. An errant pass on the in-bounds play turned the ball back over to the Knights.
“We just didn’t get any breaks there at the end,” said Eagle Coach Kenzil McCall. “But we didn’t box out on the foulline then we fouled them.”
Boykin led the Knight offense with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Senior Jaheim Lesane nailed five 3-point shots and totaled 19 points. Senior Keshawn Lewis followed with 14 points, and Adams finished with 13 points and 4 rebounds. Senior Drew Harris grabbed 7 rebounds, and senior Jackson Norris blocked 4 shots and had 4 rebounds.
Davis topped all scorers with 23 points and 8 rebounds for East. McDowell posted a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds. Junior Tyshawn Berkeley racked up 13 points and 5 rebounds before leaving with an injury late in the final quarter. Senior Bryon Bowen scored 6 points.
Two Norris free throws and a 3-point shot by Boykin put West up 5-0, before East answered with a Bowen lay-up, a Berkeley 3-point bomb and a Davis runner to go up 7-5.
Lesane buried a trio of 3-point shots to spark the Knights to an 18-17 lead at the quarter break. McDowell kept the Eagles close with a pair of rebound baskets and a free throw.
An Adams lay-up and a Boykin follow put West up 22-17, but Davis found Robbie Cooley inside for a lay-up then drove for a lay-up and a free throw to knot the score 22-22.
Lesane and Lewis bombed in 3-pointers, Boykin and Adams hit 2 free throws each, and Eddie Perez-Ortiz banked in a 10-footer to push West ahead 34-28.
Berkeley answered with a follow shot and a free throw, and Davis made a free throw for East, before Trashawn Ballard beat the buzzer with a follow shot that gave the Knights a 37-32 halftime lead.
After a Bowen runner whittled the margin to 37-34, Lewis and Adams popped in 10-footers, Boykin and Adams canned 2 free throws each, and Lesane delivered a 3-point basket and an assist to Norris for a lay-up as the Knights took their biggest lead at 53-41 with 2:20 left in the quarter.
“Jackson Norris really gave us a lift (3 blocked shots, 3 rebounds) in the third quarter,” said Coach Pait. “He gave us a presence inside.”
Back came the Eagles as Berkeley and McDowell hooked in runners and tacked on free throws, McDowell banged in a rebound, Davis threw in a runner and sophmore Freddy Wooten made 2 free throws to tie the game 53-53.
Boykin’s driving lay-up put West up 55-53 at the quarter break. Lewis nailed a 3-pointer to start the final period, and Adams netted a lay-up for a 60-53 lead. Davis tossed in a 6-footer and drove for a 3-point play, and McDowell powered in a rebound to slice the West lead to 62-60.
Lewis banked in a fade-away, and Boykin scored off of a turnover to pad the lead to 66-60.
“We were in trouble and really gutted it out,” said Coach Pait. “East Bladen played really well and their big guy (McDowell) was unbelievable inside.”
Coach McCall said, “I was pleased with our effort today. The kids played hard.”
East Bladen (73) – Keshaun Davis 23, Greyson Heustess, Bryon Bowen 6, Pierce Melvin, Javant McDowell 22, Juwan Baldwin 2, Freddy Wooten 5, Darrell Banks, Robbie Cooley 2, Tyshawn Berkeley 13, Corey McKoy. 13-21
West Bladen (77) – Kerron Washington 1, Jaheim Lesane 19, Shyron Adams 13, Tyre Boykin 22, Trenton Lyons, Keshawn Lewis 14, Eddie Perez-Ortiz 2, Trashawn Ballard 2, Drew Harris, Nijeah McKoy, Jackson Norris 4, Nolan Bryant, Cameron Taylor. 24-31
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