By By Lindsey Sherrill
Staff Writer
In their second game Friday as part of EA's United Bank New Years Classic, both Cougar teams topped Pike Academy.
In the first game of the evening the Lady Cougars took the victory over Pike with a score of 41-31. The girls took an early lead to gain a ten point margin that would last throughout the very slow-paced game. Leading the scoring was the team's sole senior, Jessica Gibbs, with 16 points. Lori Bonds followed with 15. Meagan Jackson scored eight points and Mandy Norton scored two.
The boys game was much more fast paced and very physical as the Cougars proved that they were still a formidable force despite the loss of a leading point-generator, senior Bradford Price, who is out with an ankle injury. The game began with a very close first quarter ending in a 14-14 tie. In the second quarter EA began to pull away to eventually take a 74-40 victory over Pike.
Chris Moore led the scoring with 20. Cole Norton scored 13 points on the evening, and David Daniel and Stephen Shirley each scored 12 points. Robert Hardy scored eight points, Zack Smith scored five, Jace Beasley scored three, and Billy McCann had one point.
"Chris Moore was the spark we've been looking for," said Head Coach Chad Prewett. "We've got everybody on the team playing now. That's giving us an edge and we're wearing down the opponent."
The championship games for both the Cougars and Lady Cougars was scheduled to be played Saturday night in the Escambia Academy gymnasium. Results from those contests were not available at press time.
The Cougars will once again begin regular season play on Tuesday as they take on Monroe Academy on the road. Games will begin at 4 p.m. with the junior varsity girls taking on the Monroe Lady Vols.