East Bladen’s No. 20 Lady Eagles Jersey that was worn by sisters JaToya Kemp and Jazmine Kemp will be retired Monday night in a ceremony before East Bladen’s 6:30 game with Whiteville in the East Bladen Holiday Classic.
“It was a great honor to coach both of them,” said Lady Eagle Coach Patty Evers. “They were not only tremendous student-athletes, but great teammates with much character. They were both part of building the foundation of our girls’ basketball program with hard work and discipline.”
JaToya Kemp poured in 30 points in East Bladen’s first Class 1A State Championship appearance in 2007 – a game the Lady Eagles lost to Bishop McGuiness. She was the Eastern Regional Most Valuable Player that same year.
In JaToya’s first three seasons, East Bladen reached the Eastern Semi-finals in 2004 and the Eastern Finals in 2005 and 2006. In her 4-year career at East Bladen, JaToya scored 1,636 points and recorded 810 rebounds, 349 assists, 424 steals and 94 blocks.
JaToya Kemp then went on to play four years at UNC-Pembroke where she tallied 1,310 points that made her No. 12 all-time on the Lady Brave scoring list. JaToya also totaled 740 rebounds, 86 assists, 78 blocks and 118 steals during her UNC-Pembroke career.
Jazmine Kemp helped lead the Lady Eagles to three straight state title game appearances and four straight regional finals. East Bladen lost to Bishop McGuiness in the 2009 Class 1A State Championship game and to Salisbury in both the 2010 and 2011 Class 2A State Championship games.
Jazmine also matched her sister’s achievement by being named the Eastern Regional Most Valuable Player in 2009.
During her 4 years at East Bladen, Jazmine Kemp finished with 1,514 points, 346 steals, 678 rebounds and 384 assists.
Jazmine Kemp went on to enjoy a 4-year career at UNC-Pembroke where she joined the school’s 1,000 point club by scoring 1,172 points. She also racked up 721 rebounds, 110 steals, 60 blocks and 287 assists.
The Holiday Classic will begin at 5 p.m. with West Bladen (2-4) playing North Brunswick (8-2). Following the jersey retirement ceremony, East Bladen (10-0) will play Whiteville (2-3).
About Author
