By JOSH FRYE
News Sportswriter
The Escambia Academy Cougars were able to survive during the 2022 AISA Elite Eight Tournament at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex in Montgomery Wednesday (February 9) after defeating Edgewood, 56-51, but fell short, 34-33, during Friday’s (February 11) first-round of the 2022 AISA Final Four Tournament against Chambers Academy.
Against Edgewood last Wednesday, Brian Brown led the Cougars to the win with 13 points and 9 rebounds. Landon Sims had 12 points and 6 assists. Bubba Nettles added 12 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds. Malaki Haynes gained 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists and Charlie Sasser had 9 points and 3 rebounds.
During last Friday’s 1-point loss against Chambers, Sims led the team in scoring with 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 assist. Nettles gained 8 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Sasser earned 7 points and 4 rebounds. Haynes and Brown added 2 points and 3 steals each.
With the loss against Chambers, EA had a hard trip home after falling only 1 point short of a chance to advance to the final. Earlier this season EA head basketball coach Willie White explained that he was more than happy on how his team has responded to a multitude of different challenges, including having players on the team in leader roles who, before this season, were not accustomed to the game.