By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
Escambia County’s Sheldon Williams led the Blue Devils in scoring during one of the best nail-biting wins of the season when ECHS beat Williamson High, 79-78, during double overtime on the road last Friday, January 21.
During the first period, Williamson took an early lead, out-scoring the Blue Devils, 11 to 10, but the teams stayed neck-and-neck over the next three periods of play before ECHS held on to gain the win during double overtime.
ECHS’s standout player Sheldon Williams scored 28 points, Hakeem Johnson added 14 points, Jacob Dirden gained 8 points, Anthony McCants and Stephen Williams added 7 points each, Kaiden Arnold scored 5, and Terrance McNeil added 3 points.
Currently, the Blue Devils are 20-3 on the season and are 3-2 in area play. In the Alabama Sports Writer Association (ASWA) rankings, ECHS is currently in second place in Class 4A, while Sumter Central holds the number one slot.
Earlier this week, ECHS basketball coach Keyon Thompson said that some changes have been made for the remainder of the season schedule for ECHS due to the ongoing pandemic. The Blue Devils will play only area games that remain on the regular season schedule which will include St. Michael next Thursday, February 3. Games against Mary G. Montgomery, Hillcrest and Baldwin County High School have been cancelled.
In Lady Blue Devils action, the girls team, who has been a dominating force this season, fell short, 56-46, against Williamson last Friday (January 21). With the loss, the Lady Blue Devils fall to 17-4 on the season.
“Williamson is a tough place to play,” ECHS girls’ head coach Keyon Thompson said. “We have to do a better job when playing in tough atmospheres. We have to play through bad calls and not get down on ourselves when things are not going our way. Both the girls and boys teams have faced their share of adversity this season.”
Jayla Adams led the team in scoring with 20 points, De’Andria Adams added 18 points, Makayla Lyons scored 6 points, and Zahria McCants added 2 points.
The Lady Blue Devils will next face St. Michael next Thursday, February 3, on the road.