LAKE WACCAMAW- Sophmore Javant McDowell fired in 21 points Friday night to lead East Bladen’s Eagles to a 55-43 Three Rivers Conference boys basketball victory over East Columbus.
“Javant had a big game on both ends of the floor,” said Eagle Coach Kenzil McCall. “He had about 3 dunks in the game.”
McDowell worked the paint for 4 baskets and a free throw in the opening quarter as East Bladen took a 12-10 lead. Senior Keshaun Davis added an Eagle basket in the period.
Tyree Burney drilled in a 3-pointer to keep the Gators close, and Alterek Simpson dropped in a pair of baskets for East Columbus in the second period.
Guard Darrell Banks buried a 3-point shot, another basket and a free throw in the second quarter for the Eagles. McDowell and junior Juwan Baldwin popped in baskets to pad the East Bladen lead to 23-18 at halftime.
Sophmore Freddy Wooten bombed in a pair of 3-point shots in the third quarter for the Eagles. Baldwin drained a 3-point shot and another basket, and McDowell powered in a pair of baskets as the East Bladen lead grew to 40-28 at the quarter break.
McDowell continued to attack the rim in the final period scoring 3 baskets. Junior Corey McKoy threw in a basket and 2 free throws, and Davis popped in a basket and a free throw as the Eagles pulled away.
Simpson racked up 7 of his team-high 16 points for the Gators in the final quarter. Burney finished with 7 points.
Banks followed McDowell in the Eagle scoring column with 10 points, and Baldwin and Wooten contributed 7 points each.
“Finally, we won one,” said Coach McCall whose Eagles had suffered some close losses recently. East Bladen will host South Robeson Tuesday night.
East Bladen 12 11 17 15 – 55
East Columbus 10 8 10 15 – 43
EAST BLADEN (55) – Keshaun Davis 5, Greyson Heustess, Bryon Bowen, Javant McDowell 21, Juwan Baldwin 7, Freddy Wooten 7, Darrell Banks 10, Robbie Cooley 1, Corey McKoy 4, Rashard Willis.
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