TABOR CITY – Senior Maegan Burney fired in 10 of her game-high 25 points during a 23-point 1st period explosion that sparked East Bladen’s Lady Eagles to a 64-43 non-conference girls’ basketball victory over South Columbus Tuesday night.
The Lady Eagles lit up the scoreboard early with Burney’s 5 baskets, 3 more buckets from sophomore Laila Smith and a pair of baskets from sophomore Iveonna “NeNe” Ward. Senior Karli Priest drained a 3-point shot as East Bladen built a 23-12 lead.
Burney sank 4 of 5 free throws and a pair of field goals in the 2nd quarter. Laila Smith tossed in 2 baskets and a free throw, senior AnnaGrey Heustess added a basket, and freshman Niyah Wooten added 2 free throws as the East lead grew to 40-18 at halftime.
Burney blistered the nets with 3 more baskets and a free throw in the 3rd period. Ward buried a 3-point shot and another basket, and freshman Ariel Cromartie flipped in 2 baskets as the margin grew to 56-27 at the quarter break.
Cromartie threw in 2 more buckets in the final period, and junior Zoe Smith and freshman Cabria Baldwin tacked on baskets.
Burney grabbed 5 rebounds to go with her 25 points. Laila Smith racked up 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 steals. Ward finished with 9 points and a team-high 5 steals. The Lady Eagle defense came up with 19 steals in the game.
Cromartie totaled 8 points. Heustess blocked 4 shots and came up with 4 rebounds. Wooten contributed 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Zoe Smith and Baldwin had 2 steals each.
Jakiyah Graham, Bella Coleman and Jenaysha Jackson shared scoring honors for the Lady Stallions with 8 points each.
Coach Patty Evers’ Lady Eagles improved to 2-0 and will travel to East Columbus Wednesday.
East Bladen 23 17 16 8 – 64
South Columbus 12 6 9 16 – 43
EAST BLADEN (64) – Iveonna “NeNe” Ward 9, Martha Simmons, Ariel Cromartie 8, Cabria Baldwin 2, AnnaGrey Heustess 2, Karli Priest 3, Zoe Smith 2, Maegan Burney 25, Laila Smith 11, Nia McKoy, Brianna Phillips, Niyah Wooten 2.
SOUTH COLUMBUS (43) – Kyleigh Reaves 5, Jordane Cribb 2, Jakiyah Graham 8, Trinity Strickland 4, Bella Coleman 8, Jenaysha Jackson 8, Denisha Scott 2, Bethany Lupo 6, Zyeainna Drayton, Candence Sasser.
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