Varsity Girls Basketball: East Columbus Girls 53, West Bladen 14

LAKE WACCAMAW, NC — Malia Graham poured in 27 points Tuesday night to lead East Columbus to a season-opening 53-14 non-conference girls basketball victory over West Bladen. 

Graham pumped in 12 points in the opening period as the Lady Gators raced to a 16-0 lead. The 6-foot senior netted a trio of buckets in the 2nd quarter as the lead grew to 27-9.

Senior Tah’lela Bethea’s free throw cracked the scoring ice for the Lady Knights, and junior Saniya Martin banged in a follow shot.

Sophomore JaNya McKeithan dropped in a lay-up, and senior Natalee Sykes flipped in a lay-up off an assist from Bethea. Martin’s assist to senior Kali Allen produced another lay-up for West. 

Allen drove for a lay-up to begin the 2nd half for West and later tacked on a free throw. Freshman Hadley Dove tossed in a 15-footer for the final Lady Knight basket. 

Allen led the Lady Knights with 5 points. West Bladen is scheduled to host Union Thursday at 6 p.m. 

West Bladen (14) – Hadley Dove 2, Amiya McCarty, Haley Taylor, Abigail Dew, JaNya McKeithan 2, Saniya Martin 2, Harmony Richardson, Kali Allen 5, Natalee Sykes 2, Tah’lela Bethea 1.

East Columbus (53) – Cheyanne Freeman, Aleigh Godwin 5, Skylah Collins 4, Neveah Brown 6, McKenzie Spivey 6, Jaliyah Brown, Malia Graham 27, Malaya Webb 5.

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Varsity Girls Basketball: East Columbus Girls 53, West Bladen 14