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By John Clark

TABOR CITY – Junior center Chase Williams posted a double-double of 18 points and 13 points, and 3 other Knights scored in double-figures as West Bladen rolled to a 70-44 non-conference boys’ basketball victory over South Columbus Thursday night.

Junior Hezekiah Adams fired in 15 points and snared 5 rebounds for the winners. Sophomore Jackson Pait buried four 3-point shots to finish with 13 points and dished out 4 assists. Sophomore Tylik McCall drained a trio of 3-point shots for his 13 points and had 3 rebounds and 2 steals.

Senior Andre Moore handed out 5 assists and had 2 steals. Freshman Kendall Lessane pumped in 6 points. Senior Ty’leak Ballard grabbed 4 rebounds. In addition to his double-double, Williams was credited with 5 assists and 2 steals.

“We did a lot of good stuff tonight,” stated Knight Coach Travis Pait. “I am happy with the effort. We made some defensive mistakes in the 1st half but played better defense in the 2nd half. I thought Chase and Ty’Leak were very good rebounding for us.”

West Bladen shot 48% (27 of 56) from the field and 62% (18 for 29) from 2-point range. The Knights connected on 9 of 27 3-point shots (33%).

“I thought we took good shots in the 1st half and great shots in the 2nd half,” said Coach Pait.

The Stallions featured a 2-pronged attack as freshman Khalil Morgan rang up 14 of his game-high 21 points in the final quarter, and sophomore A. J. Scott tallied 9 of his 11 points before intermission.

Williams ignited the Knight offense with 3 lay-ups and a follow shot to start the game. Jackson Pait and McCall assisted on 2 of those lay-ups. McCall drove for a lay-up, Lessane popped in a baseline jumper, and Pait bombed in a 3-point shot to end the quarter with West up 15-5.

McCall started the 2nd period with a 3-point shot, before Adams attacked the basket with a twisting lay-in, a lay-up off a Williams’ assist, and a 10-foot jumper. Williams spun to the basket for a lay-up then powered in a lay-in that led to a 3-point play. Pait drilled in a pair of 3-balls to close the half with West on top 35-22.

Adams swished a 3-ball from the corner to begin the 2nd half then drove for a pair of lay-ups – one off his own steal. Williams connected on 3 free throws, and Pait splashed in another 3-ball. Lessane threw in a baseline 10-footer to up the count to 51-24, before South closed to within 51-28 at the quarter break.

McCall turned a Pait assist into a lay-up then delivered another 3-point basket to start the final quarter. Adams netted a lay-up off a Williams assist, and Williams flipped in a jump-hook. McCall burnt the nets with another 3-ball as the lead grew to 63-34 at the 4:42 mark.

Junior Connor Monroe blistered the nets with a 3-point basket, Lessane drove for a lay-up, and senior Cornelius Esters closed out the Knight scoring with a pair of free throws.

The Knights improved to 4-1 and will visit Whiteville after exams on Friday, Dec. 15. South Columbus, now 4-5, will host Lake View, SC Monday.

West Bladen 15 20 16 19 — 70
South Columbus 5 17 6 16 — 44

West Bladen (70) — Jackson Pait 13, Hezekiah Adams 15, Tylik McCall 13, Kendell Lessane 6, Conner Monroe 3, Andre Moore, Cornelius Esters 2, Donovan Tubbs, Ty’Leak Ballard, Chase Williams 18.

South Columbus (44) — Andrew Todd, Monte Gore 2, Rovaughn Graham 2, B. J. McCoy, Nasir Hutchinson 2, Kam Johnson 2, Khalil Morgan 21, Ethan Cullipher 2, A. J. Scott 11, LaQuintin Floyd, Levon Toomer, Cole Edge 2.