ELIZABETHTOWN – Sophmore Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson fired in 21 points to lead East Bladen to a 54-34 girls basketball victory over Union Tuesday night in the opening round of the Four County Conference Tournament.
Moore-Peterson also dished out 8 assists, grabbed 7 rebounds and had 5 steals as the Lady Eagles improved to 21-4 and advanced to a tourney semi-final game Thursday at Pender against Midway at 6 p.m.
Union sophmore Justice Johnson pumped in 6 of her 20 points in the first quarter to keep the Lady Spartans even at 8-8. Moore-Peterson, junior Shardajah Brown, and sophmores Ashley Hardin and Anna Kate White tossed in a basket each for the Lady Eagle points.
Moore-Peterson threw in a trio of baskets and a free throw to key a 14-6 East Bladen run that produced a 22-14 halftime lead. Senior teammate Justyna Gargala tallied a pair of baskets, and senior Emily Scott worked inside for a basket and a free throw.
Scott, Moore-Peterson and freshman Patience Ward connected for 2 baskets each in the third quarter. Gargala and Brown netted a basket each as the Lady Eagle lead grew to 38-22.
Moore-Peterson bombed in a pair of 3-point baskets and added another basket in the final quarter. Gargala, Brown, Ward and freshman Lorna Mendell contributed a basket each.
“Survive and advance,” said East Bladen Coach Patty Evers. “Not real happy with our effort, but we will move on and work harder tomorrow.”
Gargala finished with 8 points for the winners. Scott pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds and scored 7 points. Brown and Ward added 6 points each. Hardin filled the stat sheet with 9 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists. Ward had 5 rebounds.
EAST BLADEN (54) – Kaley Smith, Justyna Gargala 8, Shardajah Brown 6, Emily Scott 7, Anna Kate White 2, Patience Ward 6, Ashley Hardin 2, Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson 21, Yolanda Coston, Lorna Mendell 2.
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