Bladen County Schools Girls Basketball Tournament Championship: Bladenboro 29, Elizabethtown 26.

Tar Heel, NC - The Bladen County Schools Girls Basketball Tournament Championship lived up to its billing as a hard-fought battle between two talented teams, with the Bladenboro Bulldogs edging out the Elizabethtown Cougars 29-26 in a thrilling contest at Tar Heel Middle School on Thursday evening.

Both squads entered the championship with strong seasons behind them, and the game reflected just how much this game meant to players, coaches, and families from across the county.

From the opening tip, the intensity was clear, as every possession felt like it could swing the momentum one way or the other.

Bladenboro leaned heavily on the scoring punch of Hadley Dove and Adyson Carroll, who combined for 27 of the Bulldogs' 29 points, with Becka Arnold adding in a bucket of her own.

Dove and Carroll’s clutch shooting gave Bladenboro just enough offense to hold off a talented Elizabethtown offense.

The Cougars were led by the Whittingtons, Jeniyah and Racquel, who combined for 15 points to keep Elizabethtown within striking distance with timely buckets.

Zariyah Riddy adding in 7 points and Morgan Hammon also adding 4 points, making key plays, helping the Cougars stay in the game.

As close as the score was, these championship were about more than just basketball.

In a county like Bladen, where communities are tight-knit and school pride runs deep, games like this are community events that bring people together.

Grandparents, teachers, and former players filled the stands, cheering loudly for future players who will soon move on to high school courts.

For the girls on both sides, this game will be a lasting memory — a moment where competition, community, and pride all came together.

Bladenboro (29) - Kaylee Fisher, Maycee Kinlaw, Camarri Covington, Sabria Cobb, JaBrayla Freeman, Hadley Dove 15, Becka Arnold 2, Logan Powers, Kristin Singletary, Hailli Andrews, Liz Miller, Adyson Carroll 12.

Elizabethtown (26) – Morgan Hammon 4, NyAshia Lyles, Shamairrha McEachen, Zariyah Riddy 7, Racquel Whittington 4, Armani Cooper, Kassidy Godwin, Chanel High, Angel Moore, Jeniyah Whittington 11.