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Photos by Kenneth Armstrong
DUBLIN – Juniors Erica McKoy and Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson combined for 41 points Tuesday night to lead East Bladen to a 68-62 girls basketball victory over West Bladen in Three Rivers Conference action.
McKoy poured in a career-high 23 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished out 6 assists in her first game against her former team. Moore-Peterson fired in 18 points and dished out 4 assists.
“Erica did a great job for us and Ja’Tyra scored the 1,000th point of her career,” said East Bladen Coach Patty Evers. Moore-Peterson now has scored 1,014 points for the Lady Eagles.
Seniors Patience Parker and Chasitty Lacey drained 3-point shots in the first quarter as the Lady Knights edged ahead 14-12. Parker, junior Conner Brisson, sophmore Kasee Singletary and junior Scjada Ellison threw in 2-point baskets in the period.
McKoy popped in 2 baskets and a free throw for East in the quarter, and junior Anna Kate White, sophmore Patience Ward and Moore-Peterson added a basket each to keep the Lady Eagles close.
The Lady Eagles pulled even in the second quarter as McKoy threw in 3 baskets and 2 free throws, and Moore-Peterson pumped in 3 baskets and a free throw. Junior Ashley Hardin in her first game back since a December injury nailed a 3-point shot, and White sank 2 free throws.
Senior Elizabeth Allbright worked inside for 2 baskets and 2 free throws for West Bladen in the period. Brisson buried a 3-point shot and another basket, and Parker drilled in a 3-point shot and a free throw to keep the Lady Knights even at 32-32.
Moore-Peterson fired in a 3-point shot and two more baskets to key an 18-14 Lady Eagle surge that produced a 50-46 lead at the third quarter break. Ward dropped in 2 baskets and a free throw, McKoy netted 2 more baskets and Hardin launched another 3-ball.
Allbright battled inside for 2 more baskets and a free throw, and Brisson popped in 2 more baskets in the third period. Lacey connected on another 3-point shot in the quarter.
Ward netted 3 baskets and a free throw in the final quarter as the Lady Eagles held on for the win. McKoy canned 4 free throws and a basket, and Moore-Peterson knocked down 5 straight free throws.
Senior Mikayla Winebarger rallied the Lady Knights with 3 baskets and 2 free throws in the final period. Allbright powered in 2 baskets, and junior Carley Dawson added a basket.
Ward posted a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds to go along with 3 steals. Hardin finished with 6 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. Senior Shardajah Brown grabbed 7 rebounds, and sophmore Lorna Mendell pulled down 5 rebounds.
Allbright topped the West Bladen scoring with 15 points. Parker followed with 13 points, and Brisson finished with 11 points. Lacey totaled 9 points, and Winebarger chipped in with 8 points.
“Our defensive effort has to be better,” said Coach Evers. “They outhustled us. They were quick to the ball and did a good job feeding the post. I am happy with the win.”
“Our girls played hard,” said Lady Knight Coach Brian McCleney. “We got in foul trouble early, and we did a poor job on the defensive boards. We have got to work harder at closing out.”
The foul line provided a slight edge to the Lady Eagles who connected on 18 of 32 free throws, while the Lady Knights made 11 of their 16 free throws.
“Our girls felt like they let one slip away tonight,” said Coach McCleney. “I am proud of them and the way they played.”
The Lady Eagles maintain their hold on first place in the Three Rivers with a 9-1 league record and 14-1 overall mark. East Bladen will host second-place Red Springs Friday night. West Bladen will visit East Columbus Friday night.
EAST BLADEN (68) – Katie Evans, Erica McKoy 23, Kaley Smith, Izzy Smith, Shardajah Brown 1, Anna Kate White 4, Abbey Cross, Patience Ward 14, Ashley Hardin 6, Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson 18, Lorna Mendell 2.
WEST BLADEN (62) – Conner Brisson 11, Chasitty Lacey 9, Mikayla Winebarger 8, Kasee Singletary 2, Carley Dawson 2, Patience Parker 13, Seniah Johnson, Brigit Zuniga, Elizabeth Allbright 15, Scjada Ellison 2, Nyasia Ellison, Jessica Labra.
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