Escambia County High School, Escambia Academy and Atmore Christian School basketball squads all received a break to enjoy the Thanksgiving holidays, but will return to work at the start of next week.

The Blue Devils (2-2) started the season off with a 73-57 road win over Vigor, but lost their home opener to Monroe County 61-53.
The team spent the early portion of Thanksgiving week taking part in the Bayside Academy Admiral Classic. In the first game of the tournament, ECHS beat host team Bayside Academy by a score of 47-30.

The second game did not go as well. The Blue Devils lost to Randolph School from Huntsville by a score of 54-47.The third game was close, but the team lost to Clarke County 67-64 in overtime. Trailing 27-16 at halftime and 46-26 at the end of the third quarter, the Devils managed to outscore the Bulldogs 27-7 in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime. However, they were outscored 14-11 in overtime and lost the game.

ECHS will next play J.F. Shields.

Shields (1-2) also lost to Monroe County. Their loss was also a close one, as they fell 41-40. The team also lost to Wilcox Central 64-42. The team is coming off a win over Calhoun by a final score of 75-60.

ECHS will play Shields Tuesday in Beatrice. The first game will begin at 4:30 p.m. with both the girls’ varsity, the boys’ JV, and the boys’ varsity all scheduled to play.

The Escambia Academy Cougars (1-0) began their season with a road win over Sparta Academy by a score of 67-61.

The Cougars will next face the Jackson Academy Eagles in Jackson Monday. Tuesday, the Cougars must then travel to Toxey to face the South Choctaw Academy Rebels.

Technically, the Cougars won a friendly game against Atmore Christian School by a score of 64-55; however, because Escambia Academy is part of the Alabama Independent School Association and Atmore Christian School is part of the Panhandle Christian Conference, the game does not count toward their final season record.

Also of note, the Escambia Academy’s girls’ varsity team beat Sparta Academy 59-48.

Escambia Academy plays Jackson Academy Monday with the initial tipoff scheduled for 4 p.m. The girls’ JV, girls’ varsity, the boys’ JV, and boys’ varsity teams are scheduled to play. The Cougars will then play South Choctaw on Tuesday with initial tipoff schedule for 4 p.m. and all four of the school’s basketball teams having games.

Atmore Christian School is coming off a big 45-26 home victory over West Florida Baptist Academy. Christian Scott had a big game, contributing 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The team has gained valuable experience through participation in both the ACS Classic tournament and the West Florida Tournament, according to Rams coaches.

Tuesday, the team will face the East Hill Christian School Eagles on their home court with tipoff schedule for 5:30 p.m.