LAKE WACCAMAW – East Columbus connected on 10 of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter and held off West Bladen 77-75 Friday night in Three Rivers Conference boys’ basketball action.
Guard Julius Rivera shot 6-6 from the foul line in the final period and led the Gators with 25 points. Teammate J. J. Faulkner followed with 24 points. For the game East made 20 of 31 free throws. The Knights were 10 for 18 at the foul line.
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Photos by Kenneth Armstrong
Senior ShyRon Adams posted his second 29-point game of the season for the Knights and fired in a 3-point shot, another basket and a free throw in the first period. Josh Lewis drilled in a 3-ball and 2 other baskets, and teammate Donovan Stone bombed in a 3-point shot and another basket. Sophomore Deonte Lacey banged in a basket as the Knights built an early 20-18 lead.
Adams took charge in the 2nd period with 3 baskets and a free throws. Lewis threw in 2 more baskets. Anthony Mitchell drained a 3-ball, and sophomore Gary Parker added a basket as the Knights took a 36-31 halftime lead.
Four baskets from Faulkner and 7 points from Rivera sparked a 24-16 Gator rally in the 3rd period. Adams and Mitchell answered with 3-point shots for the Knights. Parker tossed in a basket and a free throw, and Stone and Josiah Brown dropped in baskets. Keshaun Ballard sank 2 free throws, and Lewis hit one, but East led 55-52.
Adams blistered the nets with a 3-pointer, 4 other field goals and 2 free throws in the 4th quarter as the Knights battled back. Javonta Matthews popped in 2 baskets and 2 free throws, and Parker and Mitchell added baskets.
Lewis finished with 12 points for the Knights. Mitchell totaled 8 points, and Stone and Parker followed with 7 points each.
The Knights will travel to East Bladen Wednesday night.
West Bladen 20 16 16 23 – 75
East Columbus 18 13 24 22 – 77
WB (75) – Cornelius Esters, Andre Moore, Anthony Mitchell 8, Josiah Brown 2, Landon Stanley, Donovan Stone 7, Keshaun Ballard 2, Josh Lewis 12, ShyRon Adams 29, Javonta Matthews 6, Deonte Lacey 2, Gary Parker 7.
EC (77) – Jaquan Radford 8, Julius Rivera 25, Reggie Webb, Jamar Williams 9, Tahjir Melvin 9, J. J. Faulkner 24, Ayden Graham 2.
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