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<p><strong>By Bob Sofaly</strong></p>
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<p>Beaufort Academy’s Mikeala Washington is inching closer to scoring her 1,000th point. In Thursday night’s home game with Thomas Heyward Academy, Washington scored 32 points to get to within eight points of the mark.</p>
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<p>“I knew I was getting close, really close, and started to get a little nervous,” Washington said after the Lady Eagles’ 61-16 rout.</p>
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<p>But the score was so lopsided, officials went to a “running clock” by midway through the third quarter, and the 17-year-old junior ran out of time.</p>
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<p>“I scored 32 points. That’s my second highest score to date,” she said. “But I was getting pretty nervous. I know what a big deal this is and I’ve worked pretty hard to get here. All my hard work is paying off and is allowing me to accomplish something.”</p>
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<p>BA Coach Andrew Ienuso echoed Washington’s sentiment.</p>
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<p>“She’s works harder than anyone in the gym,” he said after the game. “She’s just eight points away. All her hard work on the court is finally paying off. She’s worked so hard to get here. And she’s only a junior.”</p>
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<p>Ienuso said the Lady Eagles’ next game will be at 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 28, at home against Holy Trinity (10-2).</p>
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