Big games by teammates Jordan Sasser and Garrett Kirk helped lift the Escambia Academy boys’ basketball team to a 67-54 win over area foe Monroe Academy.

The win moves the Cougars to 1-0 in the area and 11-2 overall.

EA got off to a fast start on offense and played well on defense to start the game, said Coach Kevin Woods.

“We jumped on them 21-9 in the first quarter,” Woods said. “Monroe played man-to-man and we were prepared for it. We played pretty tough defense in the first quarter.”

Sasser, the team’s leading scorer who was playing in his second game since returning from a wrist injury, added six assists, six rebounds, two blocks and a steal to his game-leading points total. Kirk had a double-double with 10 rebounds, five steals and one block.

Jacob Dean contributed seven points and five rebounds in the win.

The Cougars defeated Crenshaw 52-49 Friday night in their first game back since the holiday break.

Sasser led the team with 18 points in the win. The senior guard scored all of EA’s eight first quarter points as the Cougars trailed by two.

Brett Helton scored four straight points in the second quarter to give the Cougars a 13-12 lead with five minutes left in the half. The Cougars extended that lead with a 10-4 run with 3:24 left in the quarter, but led only 22-20 at the half.

EA went on a 7-0 lead to start the third quarter before Crenshaw brought it back within one point at 33-32 with 1:29 left in the quarter.
Two pivotal Kirk rebounds kept the game within one point as the third quarter ended.

EA took a 42-41 lead before Sasser was called for a technical foul for arguing with an official over a foul call.

The ensuing foul shots gave Crenshaw a 43-42 lead before Helton buried a three-point shot to put EA back on top with 3:20 left in the game.

Crenshaw took a 48-45 lead with a five-point swing capped by a three-point play. Kirk picked up another big rebound and was foulded with 46 seconds left. The sophomore center hit both shots, which tied the game.

After missing one of two foul shots, Crenshaw took a 49-48 lead before EA’s Sasser is fouled. Sasser hit both shots to put the Cougars up 50-49 with 25 seconds left in the game.

Sassser was fouled again during EA’s next position, he hit both shots to notch the win for the Cougars.
Kirk and Helton each added 15 points in the win.

Woods said the Cougars’ 18 turnovers kept the game close.

EA travels to Morgan Academy for another area game Friday.