ELIZABETHTOWN – Junior Patience Ward poured in a career-high 35 points to lead East Bladen to a 71-31 Three Rivers Conference girls basketball victory over West Columbus Wednesday night.
Senior Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson nailed a corner jumper and turned a steal into a lay-up to begin the game, and junior Lorna Mendell flipped in a rebound for an early 6-0 East lead.
Ward put back a rebound, and seniors Erica McKoy and Ashley Hardin and freshmen Mya McDonald and Alexus Mitchell sank one free throw each as the Lady Eagles built a 12-4 lead at the quarter break.
The East offense kicked into high gear in the second period as Ward beat the defense down the floor for 4 lay-ups and popped in a pair of short jumpers and a free throw. McKoy nailed a 17-footer and dashed down the floor for a pair of lay-ups as the lead grew to 31-8 at halftime.
Ward connected on a pair of short jumpers to start the third quarter then sprinted down the floor for six lay-ups – five of those came in the final 2 minutes of the period. McKoy threw in a 17-footer, 3 free throws and a lay-up as the lead grew to 57-24 at the third quarter break.
McKoy tossed in a runner, Ward delivered another lay-up and senior Anna Kate White buried a baseline jumper before McDonald’s rebound basket midway the period pushed the lead to 67-27 and started a continuous running clock.
Ward collected 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 4 steals, while McKoy just missed a double-double with 16 points, 9 steals, 7 assists and 5 rebounds.
“Erica continues to fill up the stat sheet,” said Lady Eagle Coach Patty Evers. “The consistency that she is displaying is huge for her confidence. Patience is just strong around the basket and extremely athletic.”
Moore-Peterson contributed 6 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Hardin pulled down 9 rebounds and collected 5 assists and 5 steals.
“Ashley is strong and just does so many things well,” continued Coach Evers. “She gets in the passing lanes on defense, and she passes the ball very well.”
Mendell finished with 5 rebounds and 2 assists, and McDonald grabbed 5 rebounds.
The Lady Eagles sit atop the Three Rivers with a 5-0 league record and 8-0 overall mark. East Bladen will play next Thursday in the Leon Brogden Holiday Tournament in Wilmington.
West Columbus 4 4 16 7 – 31
East Bladen 12 19 26 14 -71
EAST BLADEN (71) – Katie Evans 2, Lily Lin, Erica McKoy 16, Mya McDonald 3, Alexus Mitchell 3, Anna Kate White 2, Abbie Cross, Kabarah Moore, Patience Ward 35, Ashley Hardin 2, Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson 6, Lorna Mendell 2.
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