East Columbus Boys 65, Whiteville 54
LAKE WACCAMAW—In boys’ basketball, East Columbus blew open a close game at the end of the fourth quarter to stun Whiteville 65-54.
The Wolfpack jumped out to a 13-0 lead to begin the game forcing East Columbus to call a timeout. The Gators adjusted with a 10-0 run of their own and never looked back. It was a see-saw battle till the end until the Pack got into foul trouble and East Columbus hit their free throws.
Rudy Jernigan led East Columbus with 23 points while teammate Kevon Stackhouse added 12 points in the win. East Columbus (5-2, 7-8) will host county rival West Columbus (6-2, 8-10) today for a key Carolina Conference game between the leaders in the conference.
Corey Faison led Whiteville in the loss with 13 points, seven steals, and seven rebounds. Ty’Lae Rose added 12 points for the Pack. The Wolfpack (3-2, 9-8) get back into Southeastern Conference play visiting West Bladen (5-0, 14-5) today.
WHITEVILLE (54) Corey Faison 13, Ty’Lae Rose 12, Trayvionne Williams 9, Teron Legette 7, Emanuel Kemp 5, Logan Little 8, Tyson Wilcox, Caleb McLean, Christian Lacewell, Jaiden Lambert
EAST COLUMBUS (65) KJ Thurman 9, Adrian Jenrette 5, Keven Stackhouse 12, Tyron Keaton 5, Jaimeer Hudson 2, Rudy Jernigan 23, Tymarion Baldwin 9, Demetrious Dexter, Zay Hines
East Columbus Girls 44, Whiteville 39 OT
In the girls’ game, both teams put up great defensive schemes to counter the center play of the opponent. The results turned out to be an exciting game with the Lady Gators prevailing in overtime 44-39.
The Pack fronted senior Malia Graham with a smaller person all night, causing Graham to have foul trouble. The strategy held the senior to just 12 points and five rebounds, far below her season averages. The Gators did the same to the Wolfpack’s Ceonna Dennis. This limited Dennis to 17 points, with only five in the fourth quarter and overtime period. Naveah Brown led the Gators with 13 points and eight rebounds on the night.
East Columbus gets back into conference play tonight hosting West Columbus (1-7, 1-13). Whiteville (3-2, 6-10) will travel to Southeastern Conference foe West Bladen (2-3, 4-12).
WHITEVILLE (39) Naylani Shaw 3, Erianna Green 8, Demeria Phillips 3, Ceonna Dennis 17, Ladasia Riddy, Asia Smith 8, Jade Miller, Jashai Robbs, Anelia Thompson
EAST COLUMBUS (44) Aleigh Godwin 3, Skyliah Collins 4, Neveah Brown 13, McKenzie Spivey 6, Jaliyah Brown 1, Malia Graham 12, Malaya Webb 5
