A three-pointer at the buzzer from Escambia County Blue Devil Fred Knight put a bow on the win, but four straight free throws from Blue Devils Darious Pettway and Pete Myers had already put the game out of reach as the Escambia County Blue Devils defeated the B.C. Rain Red Raiders 56-49 Friday night at Escambia County High School in Atmore.

The Blue Devils (23-4, 6-0) were in a battle from the opening tip, but kept their cool as the game progressed eventually building a lead as large as nine points.

The Red Raiders crept back into the contest in the fourth quarter pulling with two points with less than a minute left, but with Pettway and Myers stepping up after being fouled, ECHS received all the points they needed to win.

Leading 53-49 with under five seconds to go, the Blue Devils inbounded the ball following a Raiders turnover with Knight receiving the pass and putting up a three to close out the game with three more points on the board.

The Blue Devils will now face the UMS-Wright Bulldogs for the Class 4A Area 1 Tournament Championship. Game time is set for 6 p.m. on Monday night at ECHS.