State hopes dashed as Devils end season with 54-47 setback
By JOSH FRYE
News Sports Writer
Escambia County High’s Blue Devils fell victim to Clarke County last Tuesday, February 12, ending their season with a wild Class 4A Sub-Regional playoff contest.
ECHS and Clarke’s Bulldogs both started the game off strong, with each team playing top-notch defense and offense. But Escambia, which showed grit and determination all season, were not able to match up with a combination of a strong Clarke County line and officiating that seemed to beat the team down even more.
With 6 seconds to go in the final period and Clarke leading 49-47, ECHS got the ball to Lue Williams, who pushed it down the right side of the court.
Williams was apparently blatantly fouled by a Clarke defender, but no foul was called, and Clarke County took possession.
ECHS was then called for a defensive foul, leading to a degree of mayhem on the sidelines and in the crowd.
Clark County capitalized on the shots awarded due to the foul to complete the 54-47 win.
The setback put an end to Escambia’s season but not without some high notes.
Jordaun Patterson scored 15 points, Williams, ECHS’s go-to guy all year, scored 9 points and Malik Brown tallied 8.
Williams, a senior, ended his Blue Devils career with more than 1,200 points, believed to be an Escambia High School record.
The Blue Devils had an outstanding season, finishing with an overall record of 19-7.
“We are disappointed with the way things went during the game, but I am extremely proud of my team, the work that they have put in this season and the things that we have been able to accomplish,” head coach Rodney Jackson said. “We have been able to capture an area championship and have produced a great football and basketball season. We are looking forward to working and doing even better next season.”