By By Tim Cottrell
The Escambia Academy Lady Cougars enter tournament play clicking on all cylinders.
After a tough loss to Faith Academy two weeks ago, the Lady Cougars are riding a four game win streak and now sit at 17-5 heading into the area tournament, which will begin Thursday in Canoe.
"We've been playing well," said Lady Cougar coach Heath Gibson. "I like our chances with the way we've been playing.
"Another good thing is the last few games we've been able to rest our starters for the majority of the second half, so we should come in healthy."
Escambia Acad. 70
Taylor Road 31
In a mismatch for the ages, the Lady Cougars demolished the Taylor Road Academy Lady Tigers Monday night in Montgomery.
The Lady Tigers were unable to cross half-court and attempt a field goal until 3:37 remained in the first quarter. By that time the Lady Cougars led 15-0.
Lori Bonds led all scorers for the Lady Cougars with 14 points. Kaylie Castleberry pitched in 12.
Escambia Acad. 64
Jackson Acad. 32
The Lady Cougars travelled to Jackson Friday night seeking to solidify their spot at the top of the area.
They did that and more.
Lori Bonds led all scorers with 25 points. Meagan Jackson pitched in another 11 points for the Lady Cougars.
In boys action:
After winning three in a row, the Escambia Academy Cougars suffered a heartbreaking loss Monday night in Montgomery.
"We've been playing pretty well lately," Cougar coach Jason Allen said. "As long as we start playing good defense, we'll be all right."
Taylor Road 56
Escambia Acad. 53
In a loss coach Jason Allen called "quite frustrating", the Cougars blew a 15 point fourth quarter lead before falling in overtime to the Taylor Road Tigers.
The game was marred by poor officiating, in addition to the Cougars suffering through a second-half shooting funk, indicated by Zack Thomas's 34 points, 26 of which came in the first half.
Thomas's 34 led all scorers. Matt Amerson pitched in 8 for the Cougars. Micah Allen led the scoring for the Tigers with 13 points.
Escambia Acad. 66
Jackson Acad. 59
In a hard-fought game in Jackson, the Escambia Academy Cougars held off hard-charging Jackson Academy, hanging on for a 66-59 win.
"They played a lot better than they normally do," said Allen. "They hung around all game but we did a good job of slowing them down at the end."
Zack Thomas led all scorers with 31 points. Matt Amerson added 13 points to the Cougar total. Johnny Nichols led Jackson Academy with 29 points.
Escambia Acad. 70
Sparta Acad. 44
In a must-win game, the Escambia Academy Cougars clicked on all cylinders for the first time all season in a 70-44 demolishing of Sparta Academy last Tuesday night.
"We played much better than we've played all season," Cougar head coach Jason Allen said. "We shot better, we rebounded better and we defended a lot better."
The win also clinched the area championship for the Cougars, who were already hosting the area tournament due to the Lady Cougars area-clinching win earlier that night.
"We're really thrilled to be area champs," Allen said.
The Cougars were led by Zack Thomas, whose 20 points led all scorers. Josh Montel contributed 10 points to the effort.
The Area tournaments will take place Feb. 3-4 at Escambia Academy.