By By ZACH BROOKS
Spots Writer
The Escambia Academy Lady Cougars started off their week on a good note after they're 56-24 clobbering of Clarke Prep on Tuesday night at Clarke Prep.
The Lady Cougars came into the game trying to improve on their very impressive 17-4 record.
The Lady Cougars are one of the best teams in the state as their new #4 ranking in the state proves.
The only team ahead of the Lady Cougars in the standings that should give the Lady Cougars trouble is Faith Academy.
"Faith is one of those teams, that you have to bring your best effort every time you play them our they will hurt you, " Escambia Academy Head Coach Chad Prewitt said.
Faith is ranked #1 in the state and have beaten the Cougars twice this year.
"We hung in their with them for three quarters when they came down here," Prewitt said. "But in the fourth they just took over."
The Lady Cougars #4 ranking is the Cougars have had in a long time.
" I am very proud our girls this year, " Prewitt said. "They have worked very hard and deserve the #4 ranking."
The game against Clarke Prep was a easy one for the Cougars from the start. The Cougars took control of the game in the first quarter with a 24-point explosion. The 24-point outburst is the highest point total the Cougars have had all year in the first quarter. Alas for Clarke Prep, they could only muster four points in the quarter as they went into the second quarter down by 20 points, 24-4.
Clarke Prep picked up the pace in second quarter as they outscored the Lady Cougars 13-12 for the quarter to trim the Lady Cougars lead down by one, 36-17, heading into half-time.
The defense took over in the third quarter for the Lady Cougars, as they only allowed a season-low two points too Clarke Prep for the quarter.
The Lady Cougars offense however, managed too score eight points in the quarter, as they built their lead to 25 points, 44-19, heading into the fourth quarter.
The Lady Cougars put Clarke Prep away in the fourth quarter, as they outscored Clarke Prep 12-5 for the quarter, on their way to the 32-point victory, 56-24.
One of the main reasons the Cougars won was their shooting from the free-throw line.
The Cougars shot 71% on 10/14 shooting from the free-throw line, while Clarke Prep only shot 30% on 3/10 shooting.
"We got control of the game pretty early in the game," Prewitt said. "So after the first quarter, I started subbing in everybody that does not really have chances to play."
"Every player got to play tonight, " Prewitt said. "It was a total team effort that won us this game."
Holly Mack lead the Lady Cougars in points on the night with 19 points. Jennifer Martin followed with 16 points on the night. Jessica Gibbs also had eight points for the Lady Cougars.
Christan Bishop and Jenna Phillips lead Clarke Prep in points on the night with 10 and nine points respectively.
The Lady Cougars have two games this weekend. They play South Montgomery on Friday night, and Dixie Academy on Saturday night. Both games will start at 4:00.