East Bladen’s Eagles travel to West Bladen Tuesday night to resume their county rivalry in a key Four County Conference game.
Coach Ken Cross’ Eagles threw in twelve 3-point baskets Friday night to win 60-55 at Union and claim their second league win. East Bladen improved to 2-4 in the league and 5-9 overall.
The Eagles other league win was over Pender 70-58. East Bladen has a trio of victories over East Columbus by an average margin of 25 points per game.
Senior J. R. Robinson leads the Eagles with a 10.4 scoring average. Junior Ethan Hines bombed in five 3-point shots in the win at Union and raised his average to 10 points per game.
His twin brother, Eian Hines, scores at a 9.6 ppg rate, and junior guard Denzel Johnson bombed the nets with four 3-pointers at Union and averages 6.7 ppg. Senior Dayvon Powell follows with a 5.9 average. Senior Chris Cromartie (4.6 ppg) provides an inside presence.
Coach Travis Pait’s West Bladen Knights hope their season continues to mirror last season with the same conference result. The Knights rolled through December with a 10-1 record losing only at 2015 Class 2A Eastern Runner-up Fairmont.
The Knights repeated as champions of their own Woodmen Life Christmas Tournament with big wins over Whiteville 68-52, Midway 79-72 and Class 4A foe Hoke County 67-66 in overtime. West Bladen then won the East Columbus Christmas Tournament defeating South Robeson 68-61 in overtime for the title.
Just like last season the Knights experienced a hiccup in the first week in January losing league games to Heide Trask and Pender, but West Bladen recovered to claim key league victories at Clinton 70-65 and over Midway 70-59 Friday night.
Senior guard Stefan McDonald tops the West Bladen offense averaging 16.1 ppg. Junior Sayaun Dent follows with a 13.1 average, and junior John Bowen who hit the game-winning 3-pointer against Hoke scores at a 11.1 rate. High-flying sophmore Shaquille Johnson adds 9.5 ppg.
Freshman Keshawn Lewis, sophmore Jimmy Williams and junior Kalvin Page provide back-court help, and sophomore Jonathan Robinson is solid inside.
The Knights currently own a 3-2 Four County record and are 12-3 overall.
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