03/27/2024
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DUBLIN – West Bladen exploded for a 22-4 first quarter blitz and cruised to a 63-31 victory Tuesday night over Union in the Four County Conference boys basketball opener for both teams.

“The boys came out and really wanted to play hard tonight for our trainer Mr. (Dennis) Rutland,” said Knight Coach Travis Pait. “He is with his father tonight who is very sick. Mr. Rutland is a godly man and really means a lot to us.”

Senior John Bowen sparked the early blitz pouring in 15 of his game-high 19 points in the quarter. Bowen canned 5 of 6 free throws then slammed in a dunk off of a pass from senior Kalvin Page.

Page drove for a lay-up, and Bowen nailed a 3-point shot for a quick 12-0 lead before Union cracked the scoring column. Sophmore Keshawn Lewis dropped in a lay-up off of a feed from Drew Harris, and Gerardo Reyes bombed in a 3-point shot.

Bowen hit another 3-ball from the right corner then hammered in another dunk off of a feed from senior Sayaun Dent for a 22-2 lead.

Dent began the second period with a pair of lay-ups –one off of a Page assist. A Dent pass led to a lay-up for junior Jonathan Robinson. Junior Jimmy Williams drilled in a corner 3-pointer then hit a free throw for a 31-5 lead.

Another Page assist resulted in a Lewis lay-up before Dent buried a 3-pointer from the left wing. A Bowen rebound basket ended a 7-point Union run and kept the lead at 39-16 at halftime.

Robinson flipped in a jump-hook to start the second half. Dent drained another 3-pointer, and Bowen stole the ball and threw down his third dunk of the game for a 46-16 lead.

Dent pumped in another 3-point shot then put back a rebound for a 51-22 Knight lead at the quarter break.

Dent dished out a pair of assists that produced lay-ups for Scott Bowen and Harris to begin the final period. Lewis stole the ball and raced for a lay-up and a 57-23 lead.

Freshman Tyre Boykin drove for a lay-up, and Scott Bowen made 2 free throws then sent an assist to Fred Walters for a lay-up.

Dent just missed a double-double with 15 points, 9 rebounds and 4 assists. “Sayaun played hard,” said Coach Pait. Sayaun and John (Bowen) are key for us, and they have been consistent scorers. Kalvin had some really good plays for us tonight.”

Page grabbed 8 rebounds and dished out 3 assists. Lewis finished with 6 points, and John Bowen collected 8 rebounds.

“Defensively we weren’t as good as we have been, but we really played well in the second half,” said Pait. “It was good for Scott to get a lot of game experience, since he hasn’t played in 2 years.”

The Knights improved to 4-2 overall and will host West Columbus Friday night in a non-conference game.

WEST BLADEN (63) – Kalvin Page 2, Scott Bowen 4, Jimmy Williams 4, Keshawn Lewis 6, Drew Harris 2, Tyre Boykin 2, Sayaun Dent 15, Fred Walters 2, Gerardo Reyes 3, Jonathan Robinson 4, John Bowen 19.

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