LAKE WACCAMAW – Seniors Jaquan Radford and J. J. Faulkner combined for 36 points Friday night to lead East Columbus to a 62-40 non-conference boys’ basketball victory over West Bladen.
Radford fired in 12 of his game-high 19 points to spark a 23-10 2nd quarter spurt for the Gators that opened up a 34-22 halftime lead. Faulkner connected for 13 of his 17 points in the 2nd half to keep East on top. Teammate Ayden Graham added 12 points.
“We found out that we weren’t where we thought we were,” said Knight Coach Travis Pait. “We didn’t defend, we didn’t handle the ball, we were lethargic and didn’t play with the effort that we needed. We beat them by 15 last time, but they didn’t make any shots. They made them tonight.”
Sophomore Malachi Allen and freshman Hezekiah Adams drained 3-point shots as the Knights grabbed a quick 6-0 lead. Adams drove for a pair of lay-ups, and Allen hit 2 free throws to keep West on top 12-11 at the quarter break.
Knight senior Travail Baldwin muscled in a follow to begin the 2nd period, but Radford keyed a 23-8 run that vaulted the Gators in front 34-22 at halftime. Freshman Chase Williams spun to the basket for a lay-up and hit 2 free throws for West in the period.
Senior Javonta Matthews canned 2 free throws and turned an Adams assist into a lay-up in the 3rd period. Adams also drove for a lay-up. Five points from Faulkner kept East ahead 45-29 at the break.
Matthews popped in 2 short jumpers, put back a rebound and cashed in 2 free throws in the final period for West. Matthews led the Knights with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Adams finished with 9 points, Allen tallied 7 points and 9 rebounds, and Williams scored 6 points.
The Knights, now 5-2, will host South Columbus Tuesday night.
West Bladen 12 10 7 11 – 40
East Columbus 11 23 11 17 – 62
West Bladen (40) – Hezekiah Adams 9, Josiah Brown, Landon Stanley 2, Malachi Allen 7, Keshawn Ballard, Gary Parker, Walter Bealon, Javonta Matthews 14, Chase Williams 6, Travail Baldwin 2.
East Columbus (62) – Jayzon Brown 2, Jaquan Radford 19, Junior Stewart, Jaden Troy 4, Tryese Simpson 4, J. J. Faulkner 17, R. J. Hester, Ayden Graham 12, Fred Munn 2, Caninan Patrick 2.
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