The No. 8 Escambia Academy’s Cougars showed why they are highly ranked in the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s AISA Top 10 by crushing the Clarke Prep Gators 60-27 last Friday night in Grove Hill.

The Cougars (10-0, 2-0) remained undefeated in the rout and made another statement with strong performance

EA also never trailed the Gators as they outscored them in every quarter.

In the first quarter, the Cougars pushed out to a nice lead as they outscored the Gators 18-8 to open the game.

The Cougars continued to roll past the Gators as they cruised into halftime by adding 10 more points to their total and only allowing seven.

At the break, EA led Clarke Prep 28-15.

Following halftime, the Cougars pounded Clarke Prep even more as they extended their lead.

The Cougars’ defense tightened in the third quarter as they only allowed the Gators to score seven points, while posting 23 of their own on offense.

With a 51-22 lead to open the fourth period, the Cougars were able to get some younger players game experience as they eased to the final buzzer to pick up the 60-27 victory.

The Cougars were led by Tanner Kirk who scored 16 points in the win to go along with six boards and two assists.

Keaton Maher added 13 points, seven rebounds, one assist and a block, while Darron McGhee led the team with 10 rebounds and also recorded five points, one assist and a steal.

Brandon Goddard and Blake Quimby each scored six points with Goddard recording two steals, two rebounds and an assist. Quimby finished with seven rebounds and two assists.

Cougars Jaylen Henry and Wesley Steadham each scored four points in the win. Henry also posted four boards, five assists and one steal, while Steadham had six rebounds and three steals.

Jordan Sasser, Zac Demco and Garrett Kirk all scored two points for EA. Sasser finished w ith three rebounds and a steal; Demco had two rebounds and a steal and Kirk had a rebound.

Dillon Anderson recorded one rebound and one steal.