DUBLIN – Senior Chasitty Lacey poured in 24 points to lead West Bladen to their first Three Rivers Conference girls basketball victory of the season 64-48 Tuesday night over South Columbus.
“It’s been a long time coming,” said Lady Knight Coach Brian McCleney. “We have played so many close games just to come up short. The first half was probably the best half that we have played this year.”
Lacey nailed a 3-point shot to open the game. After senior teammate Patience Parker sank 2 free throws, Lacey bombed in two more 3-point shots then netted 2 free throws as the Lady Knights built a 14-9 lead with 2:10 left in the quarter.
The Lady Stallions tied the game 14-14 at the quarter break on Caila Turbeville’s 3-point bomb.
Lacey drained another 3-point shot to begin the second period, and Parker drilled a 17-footer. Another Turbeville 3-ball pulled South to within 19-17, before freshman Nyasia Ellison scooped up a loose ball and dropped in a lay-up.
Lacey stole the ball and threw in a lay-up then drilled in another 3-ball for a 26-17 West lead. Sophmore Kasee Singletary banked in a runner, and Lacey sprinted end-to-end for a lay-up and a 30-17 Lady Knight lead midway the quarter.
“I can’t say enough about the job Chasitty did hitting some big shots and getting us the lead,” said Coach McCleney. “She had the hot hand and we kept looking to get her the ball.” Lacey scored 21 of her points in the first half.
The Lady Stallions trimmed the margin to 30-23, but Singletary banked in a pair of 3-point shots. Sophmore Seniah Johnson turned a steal into a lay-up, and junior Scjada Ellison put back a rebound basket that grew the Lady Knight lead to 40-25. West led 40-27 at halftime.
Junior Conner Brisson converted a steal into a lay-up to start the second half for West. Parker flipped in a lay-up and tacked on a free throw to halt a South run. Lacey buried a 3-point shot that pushed the lead to 48-32 with 4:11 left in the period.
Turbeville’s long-range shooting rallied South, but a Brisson free throw and Nyasia Ellison’s steal and lay-up kept West Bladen up 51-39 at the quarter break.
Parker stretched out to toss in a one-hander that opened the final period then sent a pass to Scjada Ellison for a lay-up and a 55-39 lead. Parker scooped in another lay-up for a 57-41 lead.
Turbeville led South back to within 57-48 with 5:01 remaining, but Johnson banked in a 3-ball from the left wing, and Parker sank 4 free throws in the closing minutes.
Lacey also collected 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Parker racked up 15 points, 5 steals and 4 rebounds. Singletary finished with 8 points. Brisson was credited with 5 steals.
Nyasia Ellison grabbed a team-high 13 rebounds and had 3 steals, and her sister, Scjada Ellison, pulled down 6 rebounds.
“Patience and Kasee did a good job of controlling the tempo for us,” continued Coach McCleney. “Nyasia and Scjada really stepped up for us tonight inside, especially with Elizabeth (Allbright) out with the flu.”
Turbeville connected on five 3-point shots and topped the Lady Stallion scoring with 23 points. Teammate Sarah Faulk scored 6 points.
The Lady Knights host league-leaders Red Springs (Friday) and East Bladen (Monday) in their next two games.
WEST BLADEN (64) – Conner Brisson 4, Chasitty Lacey 24, Mikayla Winebarger, Kasee Singletary 8, Carley Dawson, Patience Parker 15, Seniah Johnson 5, Brigit Zuniga, Scjada Ellison 4, Nyasia Ellison 4.
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