ELIZABETHTOWN – Senior Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson fired in 9 of her game-high 26 points as East Bladen raced to a 24-7 first quarter lead en route to a 64-25 Three Rivers Conference girls basketball victory over South Columbus Friday night.
Moore-Peterson drilled in a 3-point shot, another basket and 4 free throws in the opening period. Senior Erica McKoy dropped in 2 baskets, and junior Patience Ward canned a basket and 2 free throws.
After South pulled to within 24-11, senior Anna Kate White pumped in a corner jumper, and Ward turned 2 steals into 2 baskets and a free throw. Ward then banked in an 8-footer and converted a Maya McDonald assist into a lay-up and a 35-13 lead.
Moore-Peterson pulled up for a 14-footer then turned a runner into a 3-point play and a 41-13 halftime lead.
Moore-Peterson started the second half with a free throw, bombed in a 3-pointer and popped in a 6-footer for a 45-13 lead. Ward drove for a lay-up, McDonald hit a foul shot, and McKoy made 2 free throws as the lead grew to 53-17 at the quarter break.
The final period began with Moore-Peterson driving the baseline for a 3-point play and tacking on a trio of free throws that pushed the lead to 59-19 at the 5:17 mark and starting a continuous running clock.
Junior Abbie Cross tossed in a 16-footer, and McDonald cashed in 2 free throws. A White free throw upped the final margin to 64-25.
Ward finished with 15 points and a game-high 8 steals. McKoy contributed 7 points and 3 assists. Moore-Peterson added 6 rebounds and 4 steals to her stat total. Senior Ashley Hardin was credited with 3 assists and 4 steals. Junior Lorna Mendell had 3 steals.
Freshman Maya McDonald pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds and collected 6 points and 4 steals. “Maya goes after the ball really hard and does a great job for us on the boards,” said Lady Eagle Coach Patty Evers.
“We are trying to work on different things and really pay attention to details,” said Coach Evers. “We have to focus on free throws and lay-ups. I want our offense to flow, and we need to stop thinking so much and just play.”
Sarah Faulk led the Lady Stallions with 11 points, and Nadelynn McClure scored 6 points.
Coach Evers noted, “Our second group came in and played really well tonight. I am really proud of the girls.”
The Lady Eagles remain unbeaten in the TRC with an 12-0 league record and 17-1 overall mark. East Bladen will travel to Red Springs Friday night.
South Columbus 7 6 4 8 – 25
East Bladen 24 17 12 11 – 64
EAST BLADEN (64) – Katie Evans, Erica McKoy 7, Lily Lin, Maya McDonald 6, Anna Kate White 4, Kabarah Moore, Abbie Cross 2, Patience Ward 15, Ashley Hardin 2, Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson 26, Lorna Mendell 2.
About Author
