By By Lori Dann
The fifth-ranked Escambia Acad-emy Lady Cougars were about as dominating as they could possibly be on their way to two blowouts in four days.
On Friday, EA held Demopolis Academy scoreless throughout the first half, leading 37-0 at halftime, and gave up only two points in the third quarter before taking a 49-12 win.
Three days later, against Catherine, the Lady Cougars went on a 23-0 run to open the game and were up 45-6 at the end of the third quarter. They went on to post a 48-13 win.
The two games served mainly as a chance for EA's younger players to gain some experience on the varsity level, but they also raised the Lady Cougars' record to 9-1.
In the Demopolis game, EA placed 13 players in the scoring column, led by reserve Anna Parish with 10 points and four steals. She was followed by Emily Hardy with eight points and eight rebounds; Holly Mack with six points and five steals; Jennifer Martin and Jenifer Dykes with four points each; Brooke Young with three; and Amy Ridgeway, Shelby Moore, Jessica Gibbs, Heather James, Bethany Hawkins, Carmen Smith and Ashley Helton with two apiece.
The Lady Cougars had another balanced attack against Catherine. Hardy led the way with nine points and six rebounds, while Ridgeway had eight points and six steals and Mack had seven points and six steals.
Other standouts included Martin with seven points, Smith with six points and five rebounds; Dykes with four points and five steals; Gibbs with four points; and Hawkins with three points.
EA faces a much tougher test Friday when the Lady Cougars will battle No. 1 Clarke Prep of Grove Hill at 3 p.m. in the first round of the Monroe Academy Christmas Tournament.