Senior Lacey Suggs posted a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds, and freshman Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson tallied 21 points as East Bladen’s Lady Eagles clinched their third straight Four County Conference girls basketball championship with a 68-16 victory over visiting Union Tuesday night.
“Three straight conference championships,” said East Bladen Coach Patty Evers. “These seniors have a record of 98-10 in their four years here.”
Suggs blistered the nets with 6 first quarter baskets, and Moore-Peterson tossed in 2 more baskets and a free throw as the Lady Eagles raced to a 25-3 first quarter lead.
Seniors Miller Heustess, Christiana Cromartie, Abby Ward and junior Emily Scott added one basket each for East in the opening period.
Moore-Peterson racked up 8 points in the second quarter, and Suggs dropped in 5 more points. Cromartie and Ward tallied 3 points each in the period as the lead grew to 44-15 at halftime.
The Lady Eagles shutout the Lady Spartans in the third period, while scoring 21 points and stretching the lead to 65-15. “We were patient on offense, but I can’t say enough about our defense,” said Coach Evers. “We really need to play that kind of defense down the stretch.”
Moore-Peterson bombed in a 3-point shot and added 2 baskets and a free throw in the quarter.
“Ja’Tyra kind of sneaks up on you,” said Coach Evers. “You don’t notice that she is scoring that much, and suddenly it is like a silent 21 points.”
Moore-Peterson also collected 5 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists. Suggs scored 4 points in the third period and also finished with 4 steals and 3 assists.
Ward racked up 7 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. Cromartie filled the stat sheet with 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals. Scott and freshman Ashley Hardin grabbed 6 rebounds each.
Heustess dished out 4 assists and had 2 steals and 2 rebounds. Teammate Michelle Page had 3 points and 3 steals.
The Lady Eagles remained unbeaten at 13-0 in the league and 23-0 overall. East Bladen will host West Bladen Thursday on Senior Night.
East Bladen (68) – Abby Ward 7, Lexie Mendell, Michelle Page 3, Shardajah Brown 2, Emily Scott 2, Lacey Suggs 21, Miller Heustess 2, Danielle McDowell, Christiana Cromartie 7, Ashley Hardin 3, Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson 21.
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