BLADENBORO – Freshman Trinity Smith sank 4 free throws in the final minute to preserve a key 49-46 Three Rivers Conference girls basketball victory over West Bladen Friday night.
The Lady Wolfpack improved to 10-4 in TRC play, while the Lady Knights dropped to 9-4 as the two teams battle for second place in the league.
Senior Marquasia Smith bombed in a pair of 3-point shots in the first quarter including a buzzer beater that put Whiteville up 14-8 at the quarter break.
Freshman Haley George tossed in a pair of first-quarter buckets for the Lady Knights, and senior Carley Dawson and junior Seniah Johnson added a basket each.
West Bladen junior Lexie Corrothers lit up the scoreboard with 4 baskets and 2 free throws in the second period, and George and junior Mikayla Meadows dropped in baskets as the Lady Knights rallied to within 24-22.
However Marquasia Smith beat the buzzer again with another 3-ball to pad the Whiteville lead to 27-22 at halftime. Sophmore I’Reona Johnson netted a pair of baskets for the visitors earlier in the period.
Marquasia Smith pumped in 2 more baskets in the third quarter as the Whiteville lead grew to 39-30. Corrothers threw in a basket and 2 free throws in the period for West, and junior Kasee Singletary, and Tatiana Hunt popped in a basket each.
A final-period Lady Knight rally was keyed by Corrothers with 3 baskets and 2 free throws. Meadows flipped in a basket, and Dawson cashed in a trio of free throws. George trimmed the margin to 47-44 with 19 seconds remaining.
Corrothers led all scorers with 22 points, while George totaled 8 points. Dawson finished with 5 points.
Marquasia Smith topped the Whiteville scoring with 17 points. Trinity Smith followed with 12 points, and I’Reona Johnson finished with 10 points.
The Lady Knights, now 12-6 overall, will travel to West Columbus Tuesday night.
Whiteville 14 13 12 10 – 49
West Bladen 8 14 8 16 – 46
WEST BLADEN (46) – Haley George 8, Tatiana Hunt 2, Kasee Singletary 3, Lexie Corrothers 22, Carley Dawson 5, Seniah Johnson 2, Mikayla Meadows 4, Jessica Labra.
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