CERRO GORDO – A 22-5 second-quarter explosion propelled West Columbus to a 61-45 Three Rivers Conference boys basketball victory over East Bladen Wednesday night.
Senior Zach McPherson drilled in a pair of 3-point shots and another basket to lead the Vikings to a 15-14 first quarter lead.
Senior Bryon Bowen fired in four baskets in the first period for the Eagles, and sophmore Javant McDowell dropped in a pair of baskets to keep East Bladen close.
Sophmore Brandis Kelly, Kevon Lewis, McPherson, Winston Mason and Shawn Tyson threw in 2 baskets each during the Vikings second quarter spurt that opened up a 37-19 halftime lead.
Guard Darrell Banks popped in a basket, and junior Juwan Baldwin sank 2 free throws for East Bladen in the second period.
Sophmore Freddie Wooten and Banks bombed in 3-point shots for the Eagles in the third quarter. Seniors Keshaun Davis, Greyson Heustess and Bowen pumped in baskets to close the gap to 46-31.
Heustess and Banks drained 3-point shots in the final period, and Banks added two more baskets. Davis tacked on a basket, and Wooten made 2 free throws.
Banks led the East Bladen scoring with 12 points, and Bowen followed with 10 points. Wooten and Davis finished with 6 points each.
Kelly and Johnson topped the Viking scoring list with 11 points each. McPherson and Tayvon Tyler tallied 8 points each.
East Bladen will host rival West Bladen Friday night.
East Bladen 14 5 12 14 – 45
West Columbus 15 22 9 15 – 61
EAST BLADEN (45) – Keshaun Davis 6, Greyson Heustess 5, Bryon Bowen 10, Javant McDowell 4, Juwan Baldwin 2, Tyshawn Berkeley, Freddie Wooten 6, Darrell Banks 12.