By By Lori Dann
Advance Managing Editor
Escambia Academy coach Chad Prewett believes his Lady Cougars may have played their best game of the season Saturday night.
Unfortunately, that effort didn't produce a win.
The top-ranked AISA Lady Cougars sprinted to a 14-9 early lead against sixth-ranked FHSAA Jay in their rare private school-public school battle, but they suffered a major blow when leading scorer Jenifer Dykes injured her ankle. Although she continued to play, EA couldn't maintain its early advantage as Jay battled back for a 60-41 win in Canoe.
The game was tight throughout the first half. After EA's early lead, Jay went on a 15-7 run in the second period to take a 24-21 halftime lead.
The Lady Royals stretched their lead to double digits midway through the third quarter, but EA didn't die. Instead, they came right back as Dykes nailed a three-pointer with 2:08 left in the quarter to make it 38-35.
However, a three-pointer and an old-fashioned three-point play by Jay started what would be a 22-6 run to close the game.
Dykes finished with 15 points in the game, including 10 in the third quarter. Amy Ridgeway followed with 10 points and Holly Mack had nine. Jennifer Martin, Emily Hardy and Ashley Helton added two points each and Jessica Gibbs had one. Binky Martella led the Lady Royals with 23 points, and Megan Youngblood had 15.
EA is now 21-3 heading into the area tournament in Grove Hill.