ELIZABETHTOWN – Timothy McLean pumped in 13 points to lead Elizabethtown to a 32-22 boys basketball victory over Bladenboro Thursday night in the battle for first place in the Bladen Five Middle School Conference.
McLean dropped in 2 baskets in the first period, and teammates Ty Mathis and Cameron White added a basket each to keep the Cougars within a point at the quarter break.
Deonte Lacy threw in a basket and a free throw for the Bulldogs in the opening quarter, and Brycen Blackmon, Bryley Williams and Landon Stanley fired in a basket each as the Bulldogs edged ahead 9-8.
Gary Parker sank a pair of foul shots for the Bulldogs in the second period, but Malcolm Bolden vaulted the Cougars in front 12-9 with a pair of baskets.
McLean took charge in the third quarter scoring a trio of baskets and a free throw. Bolden tacked on a basket as the Elizabethtown lead grew to 21-16.
Lacy netted a basket and a free throw for the Bulldogs in the third quarter, and Landon Stanley tossed in another basket.
Bolden, Mathis, McLean and Chase Starkloff tallied a basket each in the final quarter for the Cougars. Jacob Nixon made 2 free throws, and Phillip McKiver hit one.
Parker tried to rally the Bulldogs with a basket and a free throw, Lacy flipped in a basket and Ricky Brisson added a free throw.
Bolden finished with 8 points for the Cougars, and Mathis totaled 4 points.
Lacy topped the Bulldog scoring with 8 points, Parker followed with 5 points, and Landon Stanley finished with 4 points.
Elizabethtown now leads the Bladen Five with a 4-0 record. Bladenboro drops to 3-1 on the season.
BLADENBORO (22) – Gary Parker 5, Brycen Blackmon 2, Jaylen Newkirk, Deonte Lacy 8, Ricky Brisson 1, Bryley Williams 2, Michael Young, Jude Stanley, Landon Stanley 4.
ELIZABETHTOWN (32) – Chase Starkloff 2, Malcolm Bolden 8, Ahmad Powell, Timothy McLean 13, Ty Mathis 4, Cameron White 2, Jacob Nixon 2, Phillip McKiver 1, Marvin McKiver, Layne Ross, Tyreon Graham, Ryan Yandle, Jackson Wright.