Two weeks left in the basketball regular season and teams are jockeying for play-off position.
East Bladen’s Lady Eagles survived a close battle at Clinton last Tuesday and now have a 2-game lead with 4 games left to play after Friday night’s 60-16 romp at Pender.
Coach Patty Evers’ club, the top-ranked Class 2A team in the state, has winless Heide Trask Tuesday night and then hosts Wallace-Rose Hill (7-2) Thursday night.
The Lady Bulldogs stayed within 48-37 in a physical game at Wallace. Two wins clinch the Four County Conference regular-season title for East Bladen.
West Bladen’s Knights (5-5) suffered through a tough week with three losses. Coach Travis Pait wasn’t pleased with his team’s performance in Tuesday night’s home game, particularly with the defensive rotations.
Wednesday in a return match at Wallace-Rose Hill, the Bulldogs shot 30 more free throws than West Bladen, but the Knights still only lost by 9 points.
Friday night West Bladen led league-leader Heide Trask (9-0) early but eventually lost by 8 points. The Knights played the last two games without guard Kalvin Page who was lost for the season with a broken hand.
West Bladen has a key game at Pender (3-6) Tuesday – the Patriots won the earlier meeting 67-61. Friday the Knights host second-place Clinton (8-2) – a team West beat 70-65 at Clinton.
West Bladen’s girls (5-5) lost a tough 43-38 decision at home to Wallace-Rose Hill Tuesday, then lost again Wednesday at Wallace-Rose Hill. Friday night Coach Rick Rhoda’s Lady Knights won 50-32 at Heide Trask.
The Lady Knights face a rematch Tuesday night at Pender (1-8) against a team that West defeated 62-56 in a triple overtime marathon at West Bladen. Friday night the Lady Knights host second-place Clinton (8-2).
East Bladen’s Eagles (2-8) lost at Clinton Tuesday, then played short-handed at Pender Friday night. Only two varsity players and five players up from the jayvees played in the loss at Pender.
Coach Ken Cross said that Friday’s decision was an administrative one, but after a good practice Saturday, the Eagles are expected to be at full strength for Tuesday’s home game with Trask.
Thursday night the Eagles will host Wallace-Rose Hill. The Bulldogs defeated East in their first meeting at Wallace.
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