03/28/2024
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ELIZABETHTOWN – East Bladen’s Eagles withstood a furious East Columbus rally Tuesday night and claimed their first Three Rivers Conference boys basketball victory of the season 39-38.

The Eagles took a 32-21 lead into the fourth quarter, but Julius Rivera and Trey Brown bombed in two 3-point shots each and Jamar Williams added 2 baskets during a 17-7 Gator closing run.

Junior Lefrederick Wooten tossed in a basket, juniors Charles Brown and RaSean McKoy sank 2 free throws each, and junior Javant McDowell hit one to keep East Bladen on top.

McDowell topped the East Bladen scoring with 13 points, and Wooten and junior Donevin Keith finished with 5 points each. Brown led the Gators with 11 points, and Rivera followed with 9 points.

Wooten nailed a 3-point shot, and McDowell muscled in a basket and a free throw to keep the Eagles even 6-6 early. McDowell dropped in 2 more baskets in the second quarter, Keith and junior Zach Meares drained 3-point shots and RaSean McKoy flipped in a basket to edge East Bladen ahead 18-17 at halftime.

The Eagle front-court keyed a 14-4 third period spurt that stretched their lead to 32-21. McDowell battled inside for 2 baskets and a free throw, and senior Juwan Baldwin powered in a pair of baskets. Meares buried a 3-point shot, and Keith canned a basket.

Coach Aking Elting’s Eagles improved to 1-4 in the TRC and 2-7 overall and will host Fairmont Wednesday night.

East Columbus      6     11     4    17 – 38
East Bladen           6     12    14     7  – 39

East Columbus (38) – Jaquan Radford, Julius Rivera 9, Jamar Williams 4, Trey Brown 11, Tahjrr Melvin 4, Tony McPhaul 2, J. J. Faulkner 4, J. T. Junious 2, C. J. Freeman 2.

East Bladen (39) – Charles Brown 2, Donevin Keith 5, Tayshaun Berkeley, RaSean McKoy 4, Zach Meares 6, Javant McDowell 13, Lefrederick Wooten 5, Juwan Baldwin 4, Jacob Priest.

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