03/28/2024
Spread the love

DUBLIN – Ten of 11 West Bladen players scored Tuesday night as the Lady Knights opened Four County Conference girls basketball action with a 56-18 victory over Union.

Senior Akira Grimes led the West Bladen scoring with 12 points. Sophmore Erica McKoy pumped in 10 points, and senior Laikyn Pait followed with 8 points.

The visiting Lady Spartans were plagued by over 50 turnovers in the game. “We are getting better on defense and in putting the ball in the basket,” said Lady Knight Coach Rick Rhoda.

“We still need to work on a few things,” continued Coach Rhoda. “I am happy with the win, but we have got to play better.”

Grimes and McKoy threw in 2 baskets each in the opening quarter, and junior Patience Parker and seniors Laikyn Pait and Logan Autry added one basket each as the Lady Knights raced to a 14-2 lead.

Pait popped in a pull-up 8-footer to start the second period. Senior Jerena Purdie’s outlet pass resulted in a Grimes lay-up. Purdie then powered in a follow-shot for a 3-point play and a 21-5 lead.

McKoy sank 2 free throws, and sophmore Conner Brisson put back a rebound basket that stretched the Lady Knight halftime lead to 25-8.

Grimes stole the ball and raced for a lay-up to begin the second half. Grimes also canned a baseline 12–footer then turned a Parker pass into a lay-up. Parker followed up her own miss for a basket, and Pait turned a steal into a lay-up and a 35-8 lead.

Brisson scored on a follow shot, and senior Jenna Dove drove the lane for a lay-up. Another McKoy driving lay-up widened the gap to 41-14 at the quarter break.

Autry started the final period with a pair of lay-ups – one off of a Parker assist and another off of her own steal. Purdie and Pait scored baskets from the paint as the lead grew to 49-18.

Junior Mikayla Winebarger tossed in a 4-footer then passed to junior Elizabeth Allbright for a lay-up. Another McKoy lay-up closed out the scoring.

Pait led the Lady Knights on the boards with 6 rebounds. Parker and Autry dished out 4 assists each. Autry and Parker had 4 steals each, and Pait and Grimes totaled 3 steals each.

The Lady Knights improved to 3-4 overall and will host West Columbus Friday night.

WEST BLADEN (56) – Conner Brisson 4, Mikayla Winebarger 2, Erica McKoy 10, Patience Parker 5, Logan Autry 6, Indiyah Williams, Laikyn Pait 8, Jenna Dove 2, Elizabeth Allbright 2, Akira Grimes 12, Jerena Purdie 5.

About Author