West Bladen defeats Red Springs, moves to 17-1, continuing to build on a strong season

RED SPRINGS, NC – Senior Hezekiah Adams and junior Jackson Pait fired in 16 points each, and West Bladen’s defense held Red Springs to only 5 points in the 2nd half as the Knights pulled away for a 49-20 Southeastern Athletic Conference basketball victory.

Coach Travis Pait’s Knights remained atop the SAC with a 5-0 record and are 17-1 overall. The Knights will travel to St. Pauls’ Friday night. Red Springs, now 1-3 in league play and 1-15 overall, will visit Midway Wednesday night.

Adams buried a pair of 3-point shots in the opening period and threw in another basket. Pait and sophomore Kendell Lesane dropped in baskets as the Knights edged ahead 12-10.

Pait nailed a pair of 3-point shots in the 2nd quarter and tossed in another basket. Junior Tylik MCall drilled in a 3-point shot as the Knights rode an 11-5 spurt to a 23-15 halftime lead.

After halftime Adams and Pait sparked a 15-4 Knight surge that broke the game open. Adams attacked the rim with a trio of baskets, and Pait blistered the nets with a pair of 3-point shots. Senior center Chase Williams powered in a basket and a free throw for a 38-19 lead.

With the suffocating West defense limiting the Red Devils to a single free throw, the Knights closed the game with an 11-1 run. Williams banged in a pair of baskets, and Lesane worked the paint for a basket and a free throw. McCall and Adams pumped in a basket each.

Adams finished with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Pait connected on the 4 3-pointers and contributed 3 assists, 2 rebounds and a steal. Williams scored all 7 of his points after halftime but grabbed 15 rebounds and had 2 steals and 2 blocked shots.

McCall collected 5 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, a blocked shot and a steal. Lesane also tallied 5 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a blocked shot. Senior Ty’Leak Ballard and junior Keonta Hill pulled down 2 rebounds each. Hill added 2 assists, a steal and 3 deflections.

Khalif Brown topped the Red Devil scoring with 5 points.

The Knights shot 38 per cent from the field (20 for 52), while holding Red Springs to 23 per cent shooting (9 for 38). West dominated the boards 36-18 and had 12 assists and 5 blocked shots. 

West Bladen (49) - Jackson Pait 16, Hezekiah Adams 16, Demarion Bryant, Tylik McCall 5, Kendell Lesane 5, Keonta Hill, Conner Monroe, Jamari Adams-Peterson, Ty’Leak Ballard, Chase Williams 7, Hunter Hester.

Red Springs (20) – Jeremiah Chavis, Khalif Brown 5, Jadien Brown 4, Dallin Wilkins 2, Jordan Peterson 4, Joshua Sanderson, J Locklear, Z Baker, Naxary Johnson 3, J Hammonds 2, Da’miren Cooper, Kamarion McBryde.