RED SPRINGS – Sophomore Monica Washington posted a double-double of 18 points and 17 rebounds Tuesday night to lead Red Springs to a 44-40 Southeastern Athletic Conference girls basketball victory over East Bladen.
Washington, a 5-11 center, worked the paint for a pair of 3-point plays in the final period as the Lady Red Devils overcame a 32-28 Lady Eagle lead. Senior Sydney Bell nailed a 3-point shot and hit 2 free throws during the closing 16-8 run.
Senior Karli Priest buried a 3-point shot, and junior Zoe Smith and senior Maegan Burney tossed in baskets in the 4th quarter for East. Sophomore Laila Smith tacked on a free throw. Free throw shooting plagued the Lady Eagles as they connected on just 3 of 21 free throw attempts in the game.
Sophomore Nakira Hunt totaled 8 points for Red Springs, and Bell grabbed 10 rebounds to go with her 6 points.
Zoe Smith led East Bladen with 10 points, and sophomore Iveonna “NeNe” Ward followed with 9 points, 6 steals and 5 rebounds. Laila Smith rang up 8 points and 8 rebounds, and Burney posted 8 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Freshman Cabria Baldwin snared 3 rebounds.
Ward sparked the Lady Eagles to an early 11-7 lead with 2 baskets and a free throw. Zoe Smith fired in a 3-point shot, Burney delivered another basket, and Laila Smith made a free throw.
Laila Smith and Ward threw in 2 baskets each in the 2nd quarter. Burney and senior AnnaGrey Heustess tossed in a basket each to keep East on top 23-18 at halftime. Zoe Smith drained a 3-point shot and another basket in the 3rd period, and Burney and Laila Smith netted a basket each to keep the Lady Eagles ahead 32-28.
East Bladen, now 3-2 in the SAC-7 and 11-4 overall, will host league-leading St. Pauls Friday night.
East Bladen 11 12 9 8 – 40
Red Springs 7 11 10 16 – 44
East Bladen (40) – Iveonna “NeNe” Ward 9, Ariel Cromartie, Cabria Baldwin, AnnaGrey Heustess 2, Karli Priest 3, Zoe Smith 10, Maegan Burney 8, Laila Smith 8.
Red Springs (44) – Elora Oxendine 5, Sydney Bell 6, Nakira Hunt 8, Genesis McCadney 2, Monica Washington 18, Adrianna Locklear 2, Rilee Sampson 2, Jada Kells 1, Javonstaee McNeill.
About Author
