By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
Escambia Academy’s Cougars took third place honors during the Fort Dale Basketball Tournament last Friday and Saturday, December 13 and 14, after dropping to Lee-Scott, 54-41, and winning against Sparta Academy, 59-30.
EA’s Tiquale Taylor received All-Tournament Team honors.
During the loss to Lee-Scott, Taylor led the team in scoring with 26 points. Landon Sims added six, Li’Terrance McCants scored five and Bryant Quimby registered four points.
“We only dressed six varsity players,” EA head coach James Smith said. “We had to add two JV players to the roster to help fill slots due to the ACT testing that took away some key players for the tournament.”
Despite the slim roster, the Cougars found a way to victory over Sparta during the second game of the tournament.
Taylor once again led the Cougars, scoring 25 points. McCants followed Taylor’s performance, adding 10 points. Sims scored eight, Quimby had seven, Jabo Davis and Devin Kelly had four points apiece and Mailiki Haynes and Caleb Davis added two points each.
The Cougars were ahead 15-8 at the end of the first period and led 28-12 at the halfway mark. During the third period, EA extended the lead to 43-24.
Girls drop 2
In Lady Cougars action during the tournament, the girls failed to gain a win in two games, dropping the first, 69-29, to Lee-Scott and the second, 52-16, against Sparta Academy.
La’Krystal Turner led the Cougars in scoring, tallying 13 points against Lee-Scott and two against Sparta. Turner was also honored as a member of the All-Tournament team.
EA will travel to face Patrician Academy this Thursday, December 19.