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SHALLOTTE – Junior Laila Smith dropped in 10 of her game-high 16 points in the 2nd half to lead East Bladen’s Lady Eagles to a 44-35 season opening non-conference girls basketball victory over West Brunswick’s Lady Trojans.

The Lady Eagles carried a 30-26 lead into the final period, and Laila Smith popped in 3 baskets to key East Bladen’s 14-9 closing run. Junior Iveonna “NeNe” Ward drained a 3-point shot and a free throw, and sophomore Ariel Cromartie flipped in a pair of buckets to secure the victory.

Ward and Cromartie finished with 11 points each for the winners. Brooklyn Coble led West with 9 points, and teammates Hailey Woodard and Grace Kitchen tallied 8 points each.

Ward sank 3 foul shots and a basket to key the Lady Eagles’ 13-5 opening spurt. Cromartie and freshman Taylor Dowless bombed in 3-point shots during the run, and Laila Smith netted a basket.

Laila Smith pumped in a basket and 2 free throws in the 2nd period. Senior Zoe Smith nailed a 3-point shot, and Ward and Cromartie rang up baskets to keep East up 24-18 at halftime. Coble and Woodard sparked the West rally with 3-pointers and another basket each.

Kitchen worked the paint for a pair of hoops in the 3rd period for the Lady Trojans, but Laila Smith powered in 2 baskets, and Cromartie added a basket to keep East in front.

Coach Patty Evers’ Lady Eagles will travel to West Bladen Tuesday night. West Brunswick, now 1-1, will host South Columbus Tuesday night.

East Bladen 13 11 6 14 — 44
West Brunswick 5 13 8 9 — 35

East Bladen (44) – Iveonna ‘NeNe’ Ward 11, Nevaeh Brown, Aaliyah Monroe, Ariel Cromartie 11, Cabria Baldwin, Tatum Allen, Zoe Smith 3, Taylor Dowless 3, Laila Smith 16, Niyah Wooten.

West Brunswick (35) – Maddie Richardson 2, Jahyra Mastey 2, Brooklyn Coble 9, Hailey Woodard 8, Nhikeya Williams, Abbey Wilkes, Saniya Stanley 2, Grace Kitchen 8, Ja’kya Johnson 4.