DUNN – Sophomore Laila Smith poured in 24 points Friday night to lead unbeaten East Bladen to a 68-32 girls’ basketball victory over Midway in the Southeastern Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
Coach Patty Evers’ Lady Eagles improved to 8-0 overall and recorded Coach Evers’ 499th win at East Bladen. The Lady Eagles will be idle until December 28th when they play Wilmington Ashley in the Hoggard Holiday Classic.
Laila Smith fired in 4 baskets in the 1st period, and sophomore Iveonna “NeNe” Ward tossed in 2 buckets. Senior Karli Priest sank 2 free throws, and senior Maegan Burney hit one as the Lady Eagles built a 15-8 lead.
Burney tossed in 2 baskets and 2 free throws in the 2nd quarter, and seniors AnnaGrey Heustess and Brianna Phillips and junior Zoe Smith nailed 3-point shots. Priest flipped in a basket, and Laila Smith popped in a free throw as the East halftime lead grew to 33-14.
Laila Smith filled up the rims with 6 baskets and a free throw to lead a 25-point East Bladen explosion in the 3rd period. Burney drained a 3-point shot, another basket and a free throw. Priest drilled in a 3-ball, Heustess banged in a basket and a free throw, and Ward added a foul shot to boost the lead to 58-30.
Burney flipped in a basket in the final quarter, and Laila Smith, Phillips, sophomore Martha Simmons, and freshman Cabria Baldwin made 2 free throws each in the period.
Laila Smith grabbed 6 rebounds and had 3 steals to go with her 24 points. Burney followed with 14 points and 2 blocked shots. Ward sparked the Lady Eagles defense with a team-high 8 steals and 5 points.
Priest finished with 7 points, 4 steals and 3 rebounds. Heustess tallied 6 points, and Phillips totaled 5 points. Zoe Smith captured 3 rebounds, and freshman Niyah Wooten had 2 steals
McKenzie Williams led Midway with 12 points, and Mallory Baggett added 8.
East Bladen 15 18 25 10 -68
Midway 8 6 16 2 – 32
EAST BLADEN (68) – Iveonna “NeNe” Ward 5, Martha Simmons 2, Ariel Cromartie, Cabria Baldwin 2, AnnaGrey Heustess 6, Karli Priest 7, Zoe Smith 3, Maegan Burney 14, Laila Smith 24, Nia McKoy, Brianna Phillips 5, Niyah Wooten.
MIDWAY (32) – Jaycie Byrd 1, Leah Culbreth, Morgan Williams 4, Lizzy Kirkland 7, McKenzie Williams 12, Kara Beth Benton, Mallory Baggett 8, Megan Jackson, Peyton Herring, Lindsey Royal.
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