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By John Clark

ELIZABETHTOWN – Defense, rebounding and the hot-shooting of senior Lee Barnes keyed a 15-4 run that propelled East Bladen’s Eagles to a 53-38 Waccamaw Conference boys’ basketball victory over East Columbus Wednesday night.

The Eagles trailed 25-23 at halftime, but sophomores Keyshawn Kemp and Ronnie Covington powered in rebound baskets, and Kemp tossed in 2 free throws for a 29-25 East Bladen lead. Barnes then caught fire and buried a trio of 3-point shots – one from the top of the key and 2 more from the right wing- to widen the lead to 38-29 at the break.

Junior Dominick Collins drove for a lay-up and canned 3 free throws to start the final period. Junior Kewone Maynor raced to the basket for a pair of lay-ups, and Barnes hit a free throw for a 48-36 lead. Covington muscled in a follow shot, Kemp cashed in 2 free throws, and Chace Butler hit one to extend the lead to 53-36.

“We cracked down on defense and held them to just 4 points in the 3rd quarter,” said Eagle Coach Aking Elting. “Keyshawn and Ronnie were strong on the boards, and Barnes kind of kicked us off with those 3-point shots.”

Barnes poured in six 3-point shots in the game and led all scorers with 19 points. He also grabbed 4 rebounds. Collins finished with 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Covington racked up 10 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Kemp corralled 11 rebounds and tallied 6 points.

Cainan Patrick topped the Gator scoring with 15 points, and Jaden Troy followed with 11 points.

Collins made 2 free throws and drove for a lay-up to start the game. Butler dashed for a lay-up. Covington put back a rebound then turned a Kemp assist into a lay-up as the score was tied at every even digit. Covington scored on another follow, and Barnes drilled in a 3-pointer for a 15-12 Eagle lead at the break.

Jaden Troy’s 3-pointer vaulted the Gators ahead 17-15, but Barnes answered with a 3-ball, and Collins and Rodney Lacewell netted free throws to tie the game 20-20. Davonte Marshburn’s steal and lay-up helped the Gators to a 24-20 lead, but Barnes fired in another 3-ball to trim the margin to 25-23 at halftime.

The Eagles improved to 2-0 in Waccamaw Conference play and 7-4 overall. East Bladen will visit Pender Friday night. East Columbus, now 0-2 in the league and 3-6 overall, will host South Columbus Friday night.

East Columbus 12 13 4 9 — 38
East Bladen 15 8 15 15 — 53

East Columbus (38) — Davonte Marshburn 7, Cainan Patrick 15, Jaden Troy 11, Jvon Junious 2, Smith 1, Jaydan Coleman 2, Tyron Keaton, Matt George, Tymarion Baldwin.

East Bladen (53) — Dominick Collins 10, Chace Butler 3, Lee Barnes 19, Sherman Long, Shannon Hankins, Ronnie Covington 10, Kewone Maynor 4, Peyton Tatum, Tevin McClean, Rodney Lacewell 1, Keyshawn Kemp 6.