03/19/2024
Spread the love

BLADENBORO – West Bladen’s defense held Union to only four points over the final three quarters Wednesday night as the Lady Knights pulled away for a 43-16 non-conference girls’ basketball victory.

“I thought the third quarter last night against Fairmont was the best that we have played this season,” said Lady Knight Coach Brian McCleney. “I talked to the girls before the game about last night, and they really came out and executed tonight.”

[slideshow_deploy id=’176727′]
Photos by Kenneth Armstrong

Senior Lexie Corrothers tossed in three baskets and a free throw for the Lady Knights in the opening period. Senior Mikayla Meadows worked the paint for two baskets, and senior Seniah Johnson netted a basket and a free throw as West Bladen built an 18-12 lead.

LaTyra English dropped in three baskets, and Ashanti Corbett and Amaya Jackson bombed in 3-balls to keep Union close.

“They hit some shots in the first quarter, but I thought our defensive effort was better in the second half,” said McCleney. “We got a lot of help off our bench. I was proud of our effort.”

Corrothers threw in a baseline runner and a free throw to begin the second period. Senior Kasee Singletary stole the ball and pitched ahead to Johnson for a lay-up. Freshman Rylee Chadwick popped in a 12-footer and fired a pass to Meadows for a lay-up as the Lady Knight lead grew to 27-13 at halftime.

Meadows powered in a pair of lay-ups off of assists from Singletary and Chadwick in the third quarter. Corrothers and freshman Lainey Autry stole the ball and raced for lay-ups, and an Autry pass led to a lay-up for sophmore Hannah Pait that pushed the lead to 39-13.

“Lainey and Rylee have done a good job of passing into the low post,” stated McCleney. “I am very pleased with the play of our two freshmen.”

Sophomore Haley George sank two free throws and sent a pass into junior Ocean Woody for a lay-up in the final period.

Corrothers led the Lady Knights with 14 points and six rebounds. Meadows pumped in 10 points, and Johnson contributed five points, five rebounds and three steals. Chadwick grabbed six rebounds and had three steals.

English scored eight points to lead Union.

The Lady Knights are 3-1 on the season and will travel to Red Springs on Friday night.

Union             12  1    0  3 – 16
West Bladen  18  9  12  4 – 43

UNION (16) – Alexis Bennett, Ashanti Corbett 4, LaTyra English 8, Amaya Jackson 3, Autumn Weeks, Kayla Mourey, Jataviah Taylor, KeAusja Chestnutt, Asia Hall 1.

WEST BLADEN (43) – Lainey Autry 2, Haley George 4, Ocean Woody 2, Kasee Singletary 2, Lexie Corrothers 14, Seniah Johnson 5, Rylee Chadwick 2, Mikayla Meadows 10, Essance Murphy, Hannah Pait 2, Jamiyah Melvin-Hall.

About Author