LAKE WACCAMAW – The East Columbus Gators fired in ten 3-point goals while placing four players in the double figures Monday night as they opened the state 1A high school boys basketball playoffs with an 85-59 victory over visiting North Duplin.

East Columbus played host to Spring Creek Wednesday night in second-round playoff action (see story in A-section).

Jerry Moore tallied 20 points, including four 3-pointers while B.J. Patrick and Anthony Fields each scored 18. Center Jermaine Waddell scored 10 as East Columbus improved its record to 22-5. Fields hit three 3-pointers, Patrick hit two and K.C. Clark connected for one. The Gators also had a big night at the foul connecting on 17-of-21 attempts.

Coach Clarence Ganus’ Gators, the Waccamaw 1A-2A Conference regular-season and tournament champions, led the North Duplin squad 22-7 after one quarter and 45-18 at the half. Twelve ECHS players figured in the scoring.

Leading scorers for North Duplin were Chris Graham with 19 and Terrell Midyette with 13.

NORTH DUPLIN (59): Van 4, Smith 2, Midyette 16, Lloyd 9, Graham 19, Jones 3, Lewis 1, McDuffie 5.

EAST COLUMBUS (85): Clark 5, Freeman 7, Waddell 10, Patrick 16, J. Moore 20, Fields 16, Davis 2, D. Moore 2, Mitchell 2, Bress 2, Bracey 1.