03/29/2024
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ELIZABETHTOWN – Senior Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson blistered the nets with six consecutive 3-point baskets in the first quarter as East Bladen raced to a 30-0 lead en route to a 75-18 Three Rivers Conference girls basketball victory over Fairmont.

“I’ve never saw anything like that,” said Lady Eagle Coach Patty Evers who was honored in a ceremony after the game for recording career win No. 500 last week. “We left her in there while she was hot.”

Moore-Peterson popped in a follow shot, 2 free throws and a lay-up off of an Erica McKoy assist to finish with 24 points in the opening quarter.

McKoy raced to the basket for two lay-ups, junior Patience Ward scored in transition, and senior Anna Kate White nailed a 3-point shot as the lead grew to 33-6 at the quarter break.

Moore-Peterson converted another McKoy assist into a lay-up, and McKoy began the second period by sinking a 16-footer and a free thow. Ward connected on 6 of 6 free throws in the quarter and put back a rebound. McKoy turned a steal into a lay-up and buried a 3-point shot as the lead grew to 51-8 at halftime.

The second half was played with a running clock due to the 40-point plus East Bladen lead. Ward attacked the rim for 3 lay-ups and a free throw. McKoy pumped in a pair of short jumpers and a 3-point basket. Moore-Peterson hit a free throw then drained her seventh 3-pointer of the game to widen the gap to 70-14 at the quarter break.

White and freshman Maya McDonald scored lay-ups for the Lady Eagles in the final period.

“I am proud of the way the girls played,” said Coach Evers. “They shared the ball and ran the court. Our focus the last two weeks has been on defense. I tell them that playing hard on defense will help settle their nerves.”

Moore-Peterson finished with 30 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. McKoy just missed a double-double with 19 points, 9 assists, 6 steals and 5 rebounds.

“Erica had a great game and really spread the ball around with her passing,” continued Evers. “Patience was tenacious. She never stops. Ashley (Hardin) and Lorna (Mendell) played great on defense.”

Ward finished with 18 points and 5 steals. Hardin grabbed 4 rebounds and dished out 4 assists. McDonald totaled 4 rebounds and 2 steals, and junior Abbie Cross pulled down 3 rebounds.

The Lady Eagles remain unbeaten in league play with a 14-0 record and are 19-1 overall. East Bladen will travel to St. Pauls Tuesday night.

Fairmont         6    2    6  4 – 18
East Bladen  33  18  19  5 – 75

EAST BLADEN (75) – Katie Evans, Lily Lin, Erica McKoy 19, Lily Lin, Maya McDonald 2, Anna Kate White 5, Abbie Cross, Kabarah Moore 1, Patience Ward 18, Ashley Hardin, Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson 30, Lorna Mendell.

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