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Five Bladen County girls – three from East Bladen and two from West Bladen – have been named to the All-Four County Conference girls basketball team.
Lacey Suggs of conference champion and NCHSAA Class 2A East Runner-up East Bladen was named the Four County Player of the Year and headlines the all-league squad that includes her senior teammates Abby Ward and Christiana Cromartie and West Bladen juniors Laikyn Pait and Logan Autry.
Suggs, Ward and Cromartie were part of the East Bladen senior class that posted a 102-11 career record and were 87-4 over their last 3 years with two Eastern Regional appearances and one Eastern Final.
In the NCHSAA play-offs, Suggs poured in 33 points during a 71-43 play-off win over Southwest Edgecombe. In East Bladen’s next game, Suggs racked up a double-double of 31 points and 13 rebounds in a 59-38 win over Reidsville.
Ward fired in 21 points and had 8 steals in the Reidsville win. “Strong play again from Lacey and Abby,” said East Bladen Coach Patty Evers. “What can you say about those two.”
Among Ward’s highlights for the season was a near triple-double of 10 points, 11 steals and 8 assists in a 55-23 December win over 1A power East Columbus. “I don’t know when I have seen Abby play like that,” said Coach Evers. “She was really focused.”
Suggs finished her career with 2,139 points, and for the season averaged 22.4 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5 steals, and 4.4 assists. Ward contributed 9.1 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.5 steals per game.
Cromartie anchored the Lady Eagles’ inside game with 6.2 points, 6 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game. Cromartie had 10 blocks in a 69-37 win over North Brunswick. “Chris had the best game of her career tonight,” said Coach Evers after that game.
The signature win of the season for West Bladen was the 62-56 three overtime thriller over Pender. Pait blistered the nets for 31 points and hauled in 15 rebounds in that game.
“I told Laikyn it was time for her to step up and take charge,” said Coach Rhoda. “She knocked down that first three-pointer and never looked back.”
Pait and Autry grabbed 8 rebounds each to help secure West Bladen’s 43-39 win over Midway in the Four County Conference Tournament.
Pait led the Lady Knights in scoring (12.2) and rebounds (8.6). Autry directed the West offense from her point guard position and averaged 3.1 points and 4.2 rebounds. The 5-5 guard led the team in assists (3.2) and was second in steals (1.5).
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