By By Larry Bonds, Special to the Advance
Escambia Academy's basketball program reached the top of the mountain Friday night in Montgomery as both the Lady Cougars and the Cougars were crowned State Champions in AISA 2A basketball. Although the sign read Huntingdon College, for 4 hours, beginning at 5:30 p.m., the E.A. Cougars would own the basketball court. The ladies from E.A. would start the show by defeating Springwood 57 to 45. Head Coach Chad Prewett could only celebrate this victory for about 5 minutes before his guys would take the court to become the boys 2A State Champions by defeating Pickens Academy 54 to 50 in another very exciting game. Coach Prewett and E.A.'s large crowd of supporters that packed their side of the gym would be on a roller coaster fide all night.
Both EA teams knew how devastating it felt to lose, as they were defeated in two heartbreaking performances in last year's Final Four tournament. Coach Prewett said," Last year's Lady Cougar team was young so everyone expected them to be here this year, but the guys' team lost 5 talented seniors so no one really expected this. Last year's experience helped both teams understand what it takes to be a champion, and I just can't say enough about the hard work and the heart these kids have shown for the last 365 days.
E.A. would leave the gym and pack the house again at a gracious Lone Star Steakhouse. As Coach Prewett arrived at the restaurant, he had nothing but smiles, as a cheering crowd thanked him for the job that he had done this season. He was quick to point out that he could not have done it without the help of assistant coaches Heath Gibson, Stacey McPhaul, and James Hall. Headmaster Judy Branum had to have been pleased with the class and sportsmanship her students displayed both on and off the court.