By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
Stephen Williams hit for 30 points and pulled down 11 rebounds as Escambia County High’s basketball team improved to 2-0 with a 73-47 win over Flomaton High last Saturday, December 2.
Williams was not only the team’s high scorer against FHS but also contributed to the team’s second solid defensive effort. The senior’s rebound total included 9 off the defensive end of the court, and he blocked 5 shots.
Michael French scored 12 points and dished out 6 assists, while Cali McCants (8 points, 5 assists) and Cleo Bolar Jr. (7 points, 3 assists, 1 block) made solid contributions.
Exavion Bradley added 6 boards, 5 off the defensive glass, and contributed 3 assists and 2 steals to the winning effort; Lorenzo Arnold Jr. had 5 rebounds and 3 assists, and Bryce Stevens, who also blocked a shot, came up with 5 rebounds.
ECHS 53, Monroe Co. 49
Williams and Arnold, both seniors, combined for 24 points, but it was Bolar, a sophomore, who most lit up the scoreboard as ECHS claimed a 53-49 win over Monroe County in its November 30 delayed season opener.
The scheduled season-opener was canceled after a gun fell from the pants of a spectator and discharged inside the ECHS gym on November 9, wounding two people. The incident happened near the end of the girls game, and the boys game was called off.
Bolar scored 23 points and dished out 4 assists; Williams hit for 14 points, and Arnold put 10 points on the board and handed out 5 assists to lead ECHS’s offense.
Each of the three leading scorers also played a large part in a solid defensive effort that made the difference.
Williams pulled down 11 rebounds, 7 of them off the defensive end, and blocked 3 shots. Arnold contributed 5 steals; Bolar blocked a shot and grabbed three defensive rebounds.
French had a solid game with 5 rebounds and 5 steals, and Bradley came up with 5 boards.
The Blue Devils were scheduled to play Monday night, December 4, at B.C. Rain.