BLADENBORO –Freshman Megan Pait and sophomore Lainey Autry keyed a 12-4 closing spurt that carried West Bladen to a 46-34 Three Rivers Conference girls’ basketball victory Thursday over Red Springs.
The Lady Knights carried a 34-30 lead into the final quarter, but Megan Pait tossed in 2 baskets and a free throw, and Autry sank a free throw and a basket. Junior Hannah Pait tacked on 2 free throws, and freshman Mallory Bryan flipped in a basket.
Sophomore Rylee Chadwick topped the West Bladen scoring with 14 points, and Megan Pait finished with 10 points. Bryan and sophomore Makayla Wright threw in 6 points each. Hannah Pait totaled 5 points.
Chadwick pumped in a pair of 1st quarter baskets, Hannah Pait knocked down a pair of free throws, and Bryan and Wright dropped in baskets as the Lady Knights built a 10-6 lead.
Bryan popped in a basket, and Megan Pait and Chadwick cashed in 2 free throws each in the 2nd period. Hannah Pait and Wright netted a free throw each as the Lady Knights maintained an 18-14 halftime lead.
Chadwick fired in 3 baskets and 2 free throws in the 3rd quarter. Megan Pait nailed a 3-point shot, and Wright battled inside for a basket and a free throw. Junior Anniyah Phillips worked the paint for a basket to keep West on top.
Senior Anaja McArthur kept Red Springs close scoring 9 of her 12 points in the 3rd period. Sophomore Elora Oxendine totaled 9 points.
Coach Brian McCleney’s Lady Knights evened their conference record at 1-1 and improved to 3-1 overall. West Bladen will travel to East Columbus Friday.
Red Springs 6 8 16 4 – 34
West Bladen 10 8 16 12 – 46
RS (34) – Jaliyah Bratcher 3, Anaja McArthur 12, Elora Oxendine 9, Brooke Wilkins 1, Jazlyn Jones, Jessica McEachin 2, Logan Buie, Amari McLean 3, Yanara Sanders, Jocelyn Maynor 4.
WB (46) – Lainey Autry 3, Megan Pait 10, Mallory Bryan 6, Makayla Wright 6, Azillyah McDonald, Rylee Chadwick 14, Kirsten Warwick, Hannah Pait 5, Olivia McCarty, Anniyah Phillips 2.
