BUNKER, Mo. -- Ellington advanced to championship game of the Black River League Tournament with a 70-54 win over East Carter on Thursday.
The Whippets face South Iron in the final Saturday.
Ellington got balanced scoring from Will Copeland, Dravin Helfersty and Brycen King. Helferstay led the team with 18 points. King sank five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points while Copeland was 4 for 6 on free throws and finished with 14 points.
Ahead by seven at half, the Whippets doubled their lead going into the fourth quarter after Copeland, Helferstay and King each got at least five points in the third.
Cody Hampton led East Carter with 16 points and Dalton Rudd added 13.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Malden 64, Caruthersville 21
The Green Wave marked their first appearance on their home floor in a week by cruising to a win Thursday.
Malden's week was changed drastically by the recent winter weather, which closed school and cancelled all games and practices leading up to Thursday's game.
"It really did throw us off," said Malden coach Josh Herring after the game. "We looked really lackadaisical in the first quarter, but I'm happy with the way they got their motor going. We played a really good ballgame. I saw a lot of good team effort."
Following a comparatively slow first quarter, the Green Wave went on a 53-10 run, leaving Caruthersville scoreless in the fourth quarter.
Malden's Alyexus Lashay, who tallied a game-high 17 points after scoring 11 in the third quarter, led all scorers. Malden's Lana Reed scored 16 points while Jada Criglar added 14 more points for the Green Wave.
Keara Johnson scored a team-high 12 points for Caruthersville.