By By Lori Dann
The Escambia County Lady Blue Devils passed another tough test Tuesday night when they defeated Class 4A power T.R. Miller 46-42 in Atmore.
The unbeaten Lady Blue Devils, coming off an emotional victory over 6A Baldwin County, trailed 24-21 at the half and were still down late in the third quarter. However, Trenessa Rice's bucket at the close of the quarter tied the game at 35-35, and ECHS took the lead for good early in the fourth.
Two quick steals turned into four points at the beginning of the final period.
First, Latonya Knotts stole a pass in the backcourt and passed to Rice for an easy layup. Then Rice picked off another pass and took it in for another basket to make it 41-37 with 5:38 left in the game.
T.R. Miller pulled within a single point at 43-42 with just 1:36 left and seemed to be gaining the momentum. However, with 1:07 left, the Lady Tigers were assessed a technical foul for having six players on the court.
Although the Lady Blue Devils missed both free throws, they did get the ball back and were able to run more time off the clock.
With 36 seconds left and ECHS still up by only one point, Rice hit one of two free throws to make it 44-42.
T.R. Miller had a couple of chances to tie the game late, but each time the Lady Blue Devils came up with a steal.
Knotts added two late free throws to provide the final four-point margin.
Rice finished with a game-high 20 points in the contest, including three three-pointers. Knotts added seven points, followed by Aleshia Stallworth with six, Fenetrias Lewis with five and Tamika Crimbley and Bridgette Miller with four each.
Taylor Defrancisco had 19 points to pace T.R. Miller but was held to just three points in the second half. Andrea Ward and Tiffanie Richardson contributed 10 points each, and Chavis Drakeford had three.
With the win, ECHS improved its record to a perfect 4-0 heading into weekend action in the Baker Thanksgiving Tournament.
Published Nov. 28, 1999