By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
Escambia County’s Blue Devils fell, 59-54, to Mary G. Montgomery last Thursday, December 19, in an exciting contest that gave ECHS an 8-7 record going into the Christmas break.
Sheldon Williams scored 14 points to lead the Devils, and Allen Patterson followed with 11 points. Jacobey James and Trevon Lambert registered nine points each; Hakeem Johnson sank two three-pointers for six points, Jamarius Lewis scored four and Jalen Barnes tacked on two.
At the end of the first period, the Blue Devils took a 13-12 lead over the Vikings with a final buzzer shot, but at the half MGM had taken a 30-23 lead. The Vikings continued to lead (44-32) at the end of the third quarter, and despite a solid effort in the final quarter, the Blue Devils were unable to overcome the deficit.
“The guys played a good game,” ECHS head coach John Shears said. “We just have to be able to finish the game.”
In junior varsity action that same day, the Blue Devils fell to Mary G. Montgomery by a 48-38 margin.
Kaiden Arnold led the ECHS JV team in scoring with 12 points.
“We had a really well-played game, but couldn’t find the win,” JV coach Roland Hall said. “We need to work on our press break and need to adjust our man-to-man coverage.”
The Lady Blue Devils fought a hard-nosed battle and drew the Lady Vikings into overtime before coming up on the short end of a 55-45 score.
ECHS will return to action Tuesday, January 7, against UMS-Wright.