ROSE HILL — East Bladen scored all of its points in the first three quarters Wednesday, then fended off a fourth quarter rally by East Columbus to defeat the top-seeded Gators 46-44 in the semifinals of the Carolina Conference girls’ basketball tournament.
The Eagles (19-6) will play the winner of Thursday’s North Duplin-Lakewood game Friday at 6 p.m. at Union High School for the championship.
East Columbus (15-6), the lone class 1A team in the seven-team league, will await Saturday’s release of the N.C. High School Athletic Association pairings.
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“The girls played really hard and never gave up,” East Bladen coach Patty Evers said. “We played really good defense and held on when it mattered the most. It was a good team win from the floor to the bench. These girls really support each other.”
East Columbus had beaten the Eagles twice during the regular season, 47-36 and last week 47-30, but the third time proved to be the charm for East Bladen.
Sana’a Singletary scored 13 points and Niyah Wooten added 10, including a pair of 3-point field goals, to lead an East Bladen offense that built a 46-34 lead through three quarters before going scoreless in the fourth quarter.
East Columbus outscored the Eagles 10-0 in the final quarter, but the East Bladen defense was able to get stops when needed.
Malia Graham scored 27 points for East Columbus.
EAST BLADEN (46) — Kayla Hall, Aaliyah Monroe 8, Ellen Battle 8, Ariel Cromartie 7, Tyliah Freeman, Julia Flowers, Sana’a Singletary 13, Nia McKoy, Niyah Wooten 10.
EAST COLUMBUS (44) — Aleigh Godwin 2, Skylah Collins 2, Naveah Brown 2, McKenzie Spivey 2, Jaliyah Brown 2, Malia Graham 27, Ryleigh Owens 2, Malayah Webb 3.
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