By By Lindsey Sherrill
Staff Writer
This past weekend, the Escambia Academy varsity basketball teams traveled to Monroeville to play in a tournament hosted by Monroe Academy. Kingwood Academy and Sparta Academy were also present.
On Friday, the Escambia Lady Cougars faced Kingwood in a game which they won, 53-23. Leading the scoring for the Cougars was Kaylie Castleberry with 14 points and eight rebounds. Meagan Jackson followed with 12 points. Lori Bonds had eight points and six rebounds, Rayleen Miller had eight points and two rebounds, Jessica Gibbs had five points and 10 rebounds, Mandi Norton had two points and five rebounds, Ellen Corman had two points, and Courtney Smith had two points and two rebounds.
The Escambia Academy boys also soundly defeated Kingwood, 79-32. Every member of the team scored in this game and had at least one rebound. Leading the team was Billy McCann with 14 points and six rebounds. Stephen Shirley scored 11 points and had two rebounds, Jace Beasley had eight points and four rebounds, Robert Hardy had eight points and four rebounds, Zack Thomas had eight points and two rebounds, Cole Norton had seven points and seven rebounds, Zack Smith had six points and four rebounds, Bradford Price had four points and one rebound, David Daniel had four points and two rebounds, Cody White had four points and three rebounds, Matt Amerson had three points and one rebound, and Chris Moore had two points and two rebounds.
Saturday, the tournament continued with the Escambia Lady Cougars taking on Sparta Academy, who had defeated Monroe on Friday night to advance in the tournament. he Lady Cougars were defeated 49-42.
In this game, Bonds led the scoring with 13 points and three rebounds. Jackson had 11 points and six rebounds, Norton had nine points and three rebounds, Miller had five points and six rebounds, and Gibbs had four points and five rebounds. The Lady Cougar record now stands at 7-2 on the season.
On Saturday, the boys took on Monroe Academy. In a game that was plagued by fouls, the Cougars were defeated 68-57. White stepped up in Saturday's game to score 13 points, 11 points higher than his previous season average of 1.88 points per game. In addition to being the leading scorer, White was also the only team member to play four foul-less quarters. Beasley was next in scoring with 12 points and six rebounds, followed by Hardy with 12 points and five rebounds, Price with nine points and two rebounds, Norton with five points and two rebounds, Daniel with three points and three rebounds, and Amerson with three points. With the Monroe game, the Cougars fall to 7-3.
Escambia Academy will be at home Friday against Sparta Academy. Games begin at 4 p.m. with JV and varsity action.