By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
Escambia Academy’s Landon Sims and Malakai Haynes scored 12 points each to lead the Cougars past Central High (Milton), 49-42, during last Saturday’s basketball action.
EA commanded the scoreboard for most of the game, but had to fight back a close scoring game during the third and fourth periods. In addition to racking up 12 points, Sims also led the team with 8 rebounds and forced 8 turnovers. Haynes gained 6 rebounds, 1 steal, tallied 1 assist and 3 blocked shots. Charlie Sasser scored 8 points, stole 3 times, had 3 assists and led the team in rebounds. Devin Kelley added 7 points, forced 4 turnovers and gained 4 steals. Brian Brown contributed 5 points and 2 rebounds. Bubba Nettles also gained 5 points and had 6 rebounds.
The junior varsity boys’ team fell earlier in the night against Central High, 29-23. Monta Watson led the JV boys in points with 7. In addition, Watson went 100 percent in free throws and forced 3 turnovers. S.T. Clark and Marrion Hooks added 5 points each. Ty McCants scored 4 points and Bradley Spann added 3 steals and 2 points.
In EA girls’ basketball action, the Lady Cougars varsity girls team fell against Central Christian Academy on Saturday, November 30, 52-38. The EA girls’ team was originally slated to host Springwood Academy last Thursday, December 2, but Springwood canceled earlier in the day.
EA girls head coach Larry Bonds added that he was extremely proud of the way the Lady Cougars played.
“They never thought about giving up,” Bonds said. “They battled until the last second. Senior leadership Jamison Janes and Lillie Lanham demonstrated great leadership on the court and helped lead a young team.”
According to Bonds, the Lady Cougars team consists of 2 sixth-graders, 2 seventh-graders, 1 eight-grader, 1 freshman, 1 sophomore, 1 junior and 2 seniors. Barnes described his young team as a small group with a big heart.
Zy McNeal led scoring for the Lady Cougars with 15 points. Lanham scored 12 points. Lea Odom and James contributed 4 points each and Paisley Donaldson scored 3 points.
Cougars basketball teams will next travel to face Springwood Academy on Thursday, December 9.