ECHS to play Thomasville in 4A sub regional

MONROEVILLE — Monroe County’s size and second-chance opportunities proved too much for Escambia County as the Tigers claimed a 68-61 victory tonight to win the Class 4A, Area 2 crown.

Lacking height, but making up for it in speed, the Blue Devils hung around with MCHS throughout the first half, only trailing 32-29 at the break. In fact, ECHS never let the Tigers take a double-digit lead during the contest.

On offense, the Tigers attacked the basket and the glass, getting additional looks for points.

ECHS coach Erin Straughn said the emphasis of boxing out will continue as the Blue Devils advance in the postseason.

Despite the runner up finish, Atmore (17-10) moves on to play at Thomasville, a similar opponent, in the 4A sub regional. The game is slated for Tues., Feb. 14.

“I heard they’re small and scrappy like us,” Straughn said. “We’ll have to lock down and play defense without fouling.”
MCHS was led by Deandre Robinson with 23 points; Tyler Stallworth chipped in 21 points; and Tournament MVP Gwyan Jones had 13 points.

Escambia County’s Devon Robinson led the Blue Devils with 19 points; Nick Davison had 15; and Triston Knott contributed with 12.

To start the second half, ECHS’s Lue Williams drained a 3-pointer to tie it up, but Stallworth answered with a put back for a small lead.

The Blue Devils trailed 36-32 with 6:04 left, but Davison then knocked in his first of three 3-pointers in the third to cut it to 36-35. His second came at the 4:26 mark to make it 40-38, and his third cut it to 48-46.

Earlier in the third, Malik Brown drew up an and-one play for a 43-42 lead.

The Tigers bounced back with a nice floater to go at the buzzer by Robinson for a 50-46 lead.

Monroe’s Robinson laid in a monster dunk at the 4:57 mark as the Tigers took a 56-47 lead in the fourth period.

Knott answered with a drive to the paint, Robinson got a 3-pointer and Davison nailed a jump shot to make it 60-54 with less than 2 minutes to go.

Robinson put the game away with a 3-pointer for the Tigers; Brown hit a pair of free throws; and Davison made it a 65-58 game.

Atmore’s Robinson hit a 3-pointer with 47 seconds left and the Blue Devils had a chance to cut the game to 4 points, but the ball missed.

Robinson and Knott were selected to the All-Tournament team from the Blue Devils.

ECHS closed a 10-5 gap in the first off of a Robinson 3-pointer, and Knott got a long jumper and 3-point play to take a 13-12 lead.

Dimitri Wiggins made a 3-pointer in the second period to cut it to 23-19, and Brown lipped an almost 3-pointer at the buzzer before halftime.