By John Clark
BLADENBORO — Junior center Monica Washington posted a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, and junior guard Nakira Hunt poured in 25 points as Red Springs held off a game bunch of West Bladen Lady Knights 51-46 Friday night in Southeastern Athletic Conference girls’ basketball action.
West Bladen, now 4-15, will be the 6th seed in the SAC Tournament and will travel to No. 3 seed Clinton (12-10) Tuesday night. Red Springs (5-17) will visit No. 4 seed Midway Tuesday night.
The Lady Knights trailed by as many as 14 points in the 1st half but gradually whittled the margin. Senior Kiera Lewis sank 2 free throws with 1:26 left in the 3rd period, and sophomore Natalee Sykes popped in a 15-footer then beat the quarter buzzer with a 3-point shot that trimmed the lead to 36-32.
Washington started the final period with a free throw, and Leeangelo Cobb threw in a 3-point shot, but junior Holland Davis answered with a 3-pointer then hit a free throw to pull West to within 40-36. Washington powered in a pair of turn-around baskets to up the count to 44-36.
Junior Alina Chavez banged in a lay-up for West, and Davis converted a Lewis in-bounds pass into a lay-up that sliced the lead to 44-40 with 3:14 left. Hunt made 2 free throws, and Davis cashed in 2 free throws for the Lady Knights.
Washington muscled in another turn-around, but Davis drove for a lay-up that reduced the margin to 48-44. Hunt and Chavez traded free throws, and Lady Knight Kali Allen canned a free throw to pull West to within 49-46. The Lady Knights attempt at a tying 3-point shot missed with 14 seconds left, and Hunt secured the win with a pair of free throws with 10 seconds remaining.
“Too much Monica,” stated West Coach Brian McCleney. “She may be the most important person in this league to her team. We tried to do some things defensively but when they spread it out and forced us to play her without help, it was tough.”
Washington scored 11 of her points after halftime. Hunt connected on 9 of 12 free throws and pumped in a pair of 3-point shots.
Davis topped the Lady Knight scoring with 15 points and 4 rebounds. Sykes racked up 12 points and 3 rebounds, and Lewis rang up 10 points and 4 rebounds despite being plagued by foul trouble. Chavez chipped in with 5 points, and Allen tallied 4 points.
“It has been 1 or 2 plays all year long that we haven’t been able to make,” continued McCleney. “The heart is there. We just can’t get over the hump.”
A 3-ball and a long 2-point shot from Hunt and a pair of Washington rebound baskets sparked Red Springs to an early 14-6 lead. Chavez popped in a free throw, Sykes nailed a 3-point shot, and Lewis banked in a runner for the West points.
Sykes buried another 3-ball, and Lewis cashed in 2 free throws to start the 2nd quarter and pull West to within 14-11. Hunt and Sykes traded baskets, before Hunt sparked an 11-0 Red Springs run with a 3-ball, 2 other baskets and a free throw as the lead swelled to 27-13.
Davis rallied the Lady Knights with a 3-point play and Chavez tacked on a free throw to cut the halftime lead to 27-17.
Lewis opened the 2nd half with a free throw, and Davis made 2 free throws. Allen drilled in a 3-ball to close the gap to 29-23. Washington sandwiched a pair of turn-around baskets around a Sykes rebound basket to pad the lead to 33-25.
The Lady Knights had 3 seniors recognized on ‘Senior Night.’ Lewis was the only one who could play. Mallory Bryan suffered a knee injury last Friday against St. Pauls, and Megan Pait has been out with an injury all season. Pait did start the game but went out immediately after the 1st dead ball.
Red Springs 14 13 9 15 — 51
West Bladen 6 11 15 14 — 46
Red Springs (51) — Nakira Hunt 25, Adrianna Locklear 3, Cabanna Wilkins 5, Monica Washington 15, Sabria McPhatter, A’ziyah Patterson, Javonstae McNeill, Leeangelo Cobb 3.
West Bladen (46) — Faith Wren, Megan Pait, Natalee Sykes 12, Tah’lela Bethea, Holland Davis 15, Kiera Lewis 10, Kali Allen 4, Alina Chavez 5.
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