LAKE WACCAMAW – Guard Malayah Hines poured in all 22 of her points in the 2nd half to lead East Columbus to a 59-35 non-conference girls’ basketball victory over West Bladen Monday night.
The Lady Knights jumped ahead early as freshman Natalee Sykes knocked down a 3-pointer from the corner, and senior Rylee Chadwick turned an East turnover into a lay-up and a 5-0 lead. Chadwick flipped in a runner, and Sykes buried another 3-ball for a 10-6 West lead.
However Rylie Graham put back a rebound, and Malia Graham drove for a lay-up and a 3-point play that edged the Lady Gators ahead 12-10 at the quarter break.
Malia Graham threw in 5 more points, and Shamiah Johnson dropped in 4 to key a 13-4 East run that opened up a 25-14 halftime lead. Junior Mallory Bryan drove for a lay-up and hit 2 free throws for West in the period.
Hines drove for 4 lay-ups in the 3rd period as the Lady Gator lead grew to 41-20. Chadwick drove for a lay-up and sent a pass to junior Brookee Singletary for a lay-up. Sophomore Holland Davis drained a 17-footer for West in the period.
Sophomore Alina Chavez made a lay-up to start the final quarter for West Bladen. Senior Lainey Autry popped in a 12-footer then nailed a 3-point shot. Bryan and junior Megan Pait bombed in 3-point shots as West battled back with a 13-4 run. Chadwick netted 2 more free throws for West.
Chadwick led the Lady Knights with 8 points and 2 steals. Bryan finished with 7 points, Sykes contributed 6 points and Autry totaled 5 points. Davis grabbed 4 rebounds.
“The effort was there tonight,” said West Bladen Coach Brian McCleney. “But our execution was not.”
Malia Graham and Destiny Mitchell followed Hines with 10 points each for East Columbus. The 2 teams will play again next Tuesday at West Bladen.
West Bladen 10 4 6 15 – 35
East Columbus 12 13 16 18 – 59
WEST BLADEN (35) – Lainey Autry 5, Megan Pait 3, Mallory Bryan 7. Holland Davis 2, Faith Wren, Rylee Chadwick 8, Kirsten Warrick, Brookee Singletary 2, Kiera Lewis, Natalee Sykes 6, Kali Allen, Jahyra Priest, Alina Chavez 2.
EAST COLUMBUS (59) – Malayah Hines 22, Malia Graham 10, Destiny Mitchell 10, Kaley Mitchell 1, Chynna Patrick 2, Zaria Swindell, Shamiah Johnson 4, BB Vereen 1, Alaya White 4, Rylie Graham 6.
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