Spread the love

ELIZABETHTOWN — Keyshawn Kemp scored 12 of his team-high 15 points in the third quarter Thursday in sparking the East Bladen junior varsity team to a 39-34 boys’ basketball non-conference win against Topsail.

There were 58 fouls called, 25 against East Bladen, and six players fouled out. The teams combined to make 21 of 70 free throws for the game.

Kemp led the Eagles with 15 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter.

The teams played to a 14-all tie in the first half that featured five ties.

However, the third quarter belonged to Kemp and an East Bladen defense that forced several turnovers. The Eagles scored the first nine points after the halftime break with Kemp connecting on a 3-point field goal and also converting a 3-point play. Torrean Cogdell began the rally with a layup.

The Eagles built their lead to 32-22 at the end of the third quarter.

East Bladen’s lead was cut to 29-24 midway through the fourth quarter and was down to 37-33 with a minute remaining.

East Bladen (2-1) is scheduled to play at Purnell Swett on Friday.

Topsail 8 6 8 12 — 34
East Bladen 8 6 18 7 — 39

Topsail (34) — Mason French 4, Pittman McEwen 4, C. Zak 6, W. Erwin, L. Carano 15, M. Lanier, J. Reeves, G. Moss 5, R. Zwack, J. Pittman.

East Bladen (39) — Khalil McKoy 3, Braylon Cromartie 2, Josiah Garner, Dashawn Campbell 10, Torrean Cogdell 2, Kyran McKoy, John Monroe 4, Jaquan McCrae, Nathan Demery, Braylon Johnson, Keyshawn Kemp 15, Kaden Johnson 3.