By By James Crawford
News Editor
Escambia Academy is looking for tradition and past success to continue as the Cougars will field an experienced squad and the Lady Cougars will be young.
The following is a look at the two squads heading into the 2002-2003 season:
EA Boys
The Escambia Academy Men's Cougars appear to have even more promise this year than last, according to coach Chad Prewitt, who doubles as the varsity girls coach as well.
"We should have a chance to make a run at state this year," he said. "We have eight or nine guys back and there is a lot of excitement going in.
"We lost in the first round of the playoffs last year, so we're hungry to go back."
Prewitt is in his eighth year at the academy. He has coached the girls for seven years, the boys five years and taught junior varsity his first year.
The academy's basketball program is in its third year at the new gymnasium, built through donations from parents.
"We have great facilities here, and we lots of talent. We're looking forward to getting started," said Prewitt.
EA Girls
Prewitt is finding out that its sometimes harder to stay at the top then to get there as he faces the battle of keeping his team at the top playing level thier used to while filling his roster with new talent.
"Our varsity girls are in a transition year," he said. "We've won state two out of the last three years, so we're at the top. We just have to find a way to stay there.
"We lost three seniors last year that accounted for 42 of 55 points per game on average, so we're looking for someone to step up and take their place. We're young but we have a lot of talent."