By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Juniors Kaniguel Taylor and Cleo Bolar combined for 35 points, and seniors Cali McCants and Carmelo Thomas added 25, as Escambia County’s Blue Devils won their season basketball opener, 64-54 over Monroe County last Friday, November 8.
Taylor scored 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field. Bolar hit for 15 points, McCants put 14 on the board, and Thomas scored 11 as ECHS claimed the win in a packed Monroe County gym. Junior Ronald Jackson only took two shots but connected on each to contribute 4 points.
Taylor, Bolar (who hit three 3-point baskets) and McCants also combined for 14 assists, with Taylor dishing out 6, Bolar 5 and McCants 3 to help the offensive effort.
The trio also stood out on the defensive end of the court. Taylor pulled down 15 rebounds, 12 of them off the defensive glass, while 7 of Bolar’s 8 boards came from beneath the home team’s goal. Taylor blocked 3 shots, while Bolar, who also came up with 4 steals, and McCants blocked one each.
The Blue Devils are next scheduled to host Alabama Christian Academy (ACA) this Friday, November 15, at 7 p.m.
The win gave ECHS an opening-night sweep, as the female Blue Devils claimed a 49-20 win over the Lady Tigers. No stats were posted for the girls contest by Tuesday’s press deadline. According to a schedule posted online by MaxPreps, the Lady Blue Devils were to host St. Michael Catholic at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, before taking on ACA at 6 p.m. on Friday.