BLADENBORO – Malcolm Bolden fired in a 14-foot jumper with 2 seconds left that lifted Elizabethtown to a 37-35 victory Monday night in Bladen Five Middle School Conference boys basketball action.
The Bulldogs took a 24-20 lead into the final period. Jude Stanley tossed in a basket and hit 2 free throws. Teammates Gary Parker and Brycen Blackmon dropped in lay-ups, and Landon Stanley nailed a free throw as the Bladenboro lead grew to 33-27.
Bolden rallied the Cougars in the final quarter with a trio of baskets and a free throw, Chase Starkloff scored on a transition lay-up and teammate Timothy McLean threw in a basket and 2 free throws as Elizabethtown tied the game 33-33.
Landon Stanley popped in a baseline jumper for a 35-33 lead, but McLean powered in a follow shot to knot the score at 35-35.
McLean topped all scorers with 19 points for the Cougars, and Bolden followed with 15 points. The Cougars connected on 7 of 9 free throw attempts, while Bladenboro was 5 of 16 at the foulline.
Parker led the balanced Bulldog attack with 8 points. Landon Stanley totaled 7 points, and Blackmon and center Deonte Lacy finished with 6 points each.
Lacy worked the paint for 2 baskets and a free throw, and Parker netted a pair of baskets as the Bulldogs built a 9-6 first quarter lead. Bolden kept Elizabethtown close with 2 baskets, and McLean scored inside.
McLean took charge in the second quarter scoring 3 baskets and a free throw to vault the Cougars in front 13-11 at halftime. Ricky Brisson netted the only Bulldog basket in the period.
Blackmon and Landon Stanley beat the Cougar press down the floor for 2 baskets each in the third quarter. Jaylen Newkirk and Bryley Williams added a basket each, and Lacy hit a free throw as the Bulldogs jumped ahead 24-20.
McLean battled inside for a basket and 2 free throws for Elizabethtown in the third quarter. Bolden drained another basket, and Raymond Autry cashed in a free throw.
Elizabethtown improved to 5-0 with the win, while the Bulldogs are now 3-2.
ELIZABETHTOWN (37) – Chase Starkloff 2, Malcolm Bolden 15, Ahmad Powell, Raymond Autry 1, Timothy McLean 19, Ty Mathis, Jacob Nixon.
BLADENBORO (35) – Gary Parker 8, Brycen Blackmon 6, Jaylen Newkirk, Deonte Lacy 6, Ricky Brisson 2, Bryley Williams 2, Jude Stanley 4, Landon Stanley 7.
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