CLINTON – Clinton made six free throws in the final minute to hold off an East Bladen rally in beating the Eagles 61-52 on Tuesday in a Four County Conference junior varsity boys basketball game.
East Bladen fell behind 30-22 at half and 46-36 at the end of the third quarter. A pair of baskets by Xavier Wooten cut the deficit to 55-52 with 1:10 remaining, but Clinton made its free throws to seal the victory.
Messiah Leach scored 19 points to lead East Bladen.
The teams played on even terms through the first quarter with Clinton taking a 14-10 advantage. The Dark Horses doubled their margin by half and maintained a comfortable lead through the third quarter.
East Bladen climbed back in the game in the fourth quarter, using a pair of baskets by Leach, a steal and layup by Anthony Wooten and a 3-pointer by Darrell Banks to cut it to 46-44 with 3:58 remaining. Clinton built its lead to 55-48 before Xavier Wooten’s two baskets brought the Eagles within three. However, East Bladen didn’t score in the final minute.
East Bladen is scheduled to play at Pender on Friday.
East Bladen (52) – Greyson Heustess, Darrell Banks 6, Zaire Turner-Dobson 4, Anthony Wooten 7, Messiah Leach 19, Sadique Ingram 2, Braydon McDowell 3, Joshua Wyatt, Deondre Newkirk, Xavier Wooten 8, Shawn Marshall, Wilson Bolden 3, Curtis McCormick.
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