Malia Graham leads East Columbus past East Bladen, into 1A girls basketball championship game
(3) East Columbus led by as many as 10 points in the first half, but began to separate itself in the second half as the Gators advanced to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A girls basketball state championship game with a win over (12) East Bladen on Monday afternoon.
The Gators used 29 points from Malia J. Graham to claim a 76-66 win in the eastern regional championship game at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem.
Graham had 15 points in the first half as East Columbus built a 33-21 advantage by halftime. The second quarter is where the Gators separated themselves, outscoring East Bladen 22-10 in the quarter after the two teams both scored 11 points in the first quarter.
East Columbus went a big run out of halftime, scoring 20 points in the third quarter — including 12 from Graham. The Gators led by as many as 20 points in the third quarter. The score stood at 53-39 after three quarters.
East Bladen tried to make a run in the fourth quarter. Using its defensive pressure, the Eagles were able to get within nine points late in the quarter, but time ran out on the Eagles.
There were no lead changes in the game, as East Columbus led throughout. The Gators out-rebounded East Bladen 39-27, which led to 26 second-chance points.
Graham's 29 points led East Columbus ins scoring. She added 11 rebounds to finish with a double-double. Chynna Patrick also recorded a double-double for the Gators, posting 17 points and 16 rebounds.
Malayah Hines was the only other East Columbus player in double figures with 17 points.
East Bladen's Laila Smith led all scorers in the game with 36 points. NeNe Ward added 19 points for East Bladen.
This will mark the first time in school history East Columbus has advanced to a girls basketball state championship game. East Columbus is now 26-1.
The Gators will play the winner of (3) Cherokee and (1) Mountain Heritage in the state championship game on Friday. The time for the state championship game will be announced later this week.
East Bladen's season ends with a record of 25-6.
Box Score: East Columbus 76, East Bladen 66
East Columbus: Malia J. Graham 29 (11 rebounds), Chynna Patrick 17 (16 rebounds), Malayah Hines 17, Kaley Mitchell 6, Destiny Mitchell 5, Shamiah Johnson 1.
East Bladen: Laila Smith 36, NeNe Ward 19, Ariel Cromartie 5, Niyah Wotten 4, Zoe Smith 2.
