TEACHEY – Wallace-Rose Hill made 9 of 14 free throw attempts in the final quarter to eke out a 48-46 non-conference boys basketball victory over East Bladen Wednesday night.
East Bladen took a 35-32 lead into the final quarter, but Desmond Newkirk connected on 7 of 12 free throws in the fourth period to lead a 16-11 Bulldog rally.
For the game the Bulldogs outscored the Eagles 20-6 at the foul line – making 20 of 34 free throws, while the Eagles made 6 of their 12 attempts. “That was a tough one to swallow,” said East Bladen Coach Kenzil McCall.
Senior Sincere Smith banged in 2 baskets and a free throw to spark the Eagles to a 10-9 first quarter lead. Senior Adonis Avery nailed a 3-point shot for East, and freshman Javant McDowell dropped in a basket.
Smith and Reashoid Pone drained 3-point shots in the second period as East pushed their lead to 20-17. McDowell hit 2 free throws, and junior Keshaun Davis tossed in a basket for the Eagles.
Guard Messiah Leach fired in a 3-point shot, a free throw and two more baskets in the third quarter to keep East Bladen on top. Avery pumped in another 3-point shot, and Davis and Smith added baskets.
Davis tossed in a pair of baskets, and Leach buried another 3-point shot in the final period. Smith put in another basket and led the Eagle scoring with 12 points. Leach pumped in 11 points, and Davis finished with 8 points.
Newkirk topped all scorers with 15 points for the Bulldogs.
The Eagles travel to South Columbus Friday night for a Three Rivers Conference game.
EAST BLADEN (46) – Adonis Avery 6, Byron Bowen, Keshaun Davis 8, Messiah Leach 11, Pierce Melvin 1, Javant McDowell 5, Sincere Smith 12, Deondre Newkirk, Reashoid Pone 3.
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