03/27/2024
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ELIABETHTOWN – With her family, coaches and teammates in attendance Wednesday, East Bladen senior Patience Ward signed a letter-of-intent to continue her basketball career next season at Cape Fear Community College.

“Patience is very coachable, loves the game and has really worked on her outside shot to develop an all-around game,” said East Bladen Coach Patty Evers. “She has done great things for us, is a joy to coach and I am very proud of her.”

Ward is currently averaging a team-high 21 points per game and set a school single-game scoring record with 45 points earlier this season in a win over Jacksonville Northside. In a key conference win over Whiteville last week, Ward fired in 37 points.

During her 3-plus seasons at East Bladen, Ward has helped lead the Lady Eagles to a 90-13 record and two Three Rivers Conference championships. She has scored 1,412 points thus far in her high school career.

Ward said, “I am excited for the opportunity and look forward to continue to develop as a player.”

“Patience is a very high energy player and that is something we want,” said Cape Fear Coach Lori Drake. “We want her to score from a wing spot for us and see her making an impact on our program. She has a great personality and is a great fit for us. We are excited.”

Drake’s Lady Sea Devils posted a 28-5 last season and advanced to the National Junior College Division II Tournament in Harrison, Arkansas for the second consecutive year.

“Cape Fear is one of the top junior college programs in the state,” noted Evers.

“I am excited,” said Patience’s mother, Ruth McKoy. “It is not too far away so we will get to see her a lot. As long as she puts God first she will do well.”

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