CLINTON – Seniors Rylee Chadwick and Lainey Autry and junior Brookee Singletary keyed a 2nd half surge that rallied West Bladen to a 65-61 girls’ basketball victory over Clinton in the Southeastern Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
Clinton held a 33-28 halftime lead, but Autry, junior Megan Pait and freshman Kali Allen drained 3-point shots in the 3rd quarter. Singletary dropped in a basket and 2 free throws, and Chadwick and junior Kiera Lewis netted baskets as the Lady Knights pulled even 45-45 at the 3rd quarter break.
Chadwick threw in a trio of baskets and a free throw in the final period. Autry buried another 3-ball, a basket and a free throw. Singletary worked inside for a basket and 2 free throws. Senior Kirsten Warrick pumped in a basket, and Pait hit a free throw as the Lady Knights pulled out the victory.
Chadwick topped the West Bladen scoring with 18 points. Autry finished with 11 points, and Singletary followed with 10 points. Lewis totaled 9 points, and Pait tallied 7 points.
Senior Brittany Blackburn poured in 12 of her game-high 29 points for Clinton in the 1st period. Senior Tara Joyner followed with 16 points.
Lewis and Pait bombed in 3-point shots in the 1st quarter. Chadwick cashed in 3 free throws, and Lewis, Autry, Singletary and sophomore Alina Chavez flipped in baskets to keep the Lady Knights within 18-17.
Chadwick fired in a trio of baskets in the 2nd period. Allen nailed a 3-point shot, and Lewis popped in another basket.
It was the 6th straight win for Coach Brian McCleney’s Lady Knights who improved to 6-1. West Bladen will host South Columbus Tuesday night.
West Bladen 17 11 17 20 – 65
Clinton 18 15 12 16 – 61
WEST BLADEN (65) – Lainey Autry 11, Megan Pait 7, Holland Davis, Rylee Chadwick 18, Kirsten Warrick 2, Brookee Singletary 10, Kiera Lewis 9, Natalee Sykes, Kali Allen 6, Alina Chavez 2.
CLINTON (61) –Tara Joyner 16, Perla Villagran, KaMyah Smith, Larkin Best, Brittany Blackburn 29, Ava Williford 6, Anna Perry Sinclair 6, Avery Evans 4.
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