By By Matthew Nascone
The Escambia County Middle School Eagles captured what every team covets Thursday, the first win.
ECMS came out strong against the Tigers of Brewton Middle School. Following a tough loss by the Lady Eagles, the ECMS basketball team took down Brewton 68-35.
"It feels good to get the first one under your belt," ECMS head coach Robert Smith said. "They started off a little slow, but they play according to the competition. If the competition gets tough, then they will be tougher."
Kingston Craft led the way for the Eagles, scoring 23 points in the season-opening win. Lawrence Arnold added seven points for ECMS and Teavion Simmons scored six points, as he knocked down two three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Smith said he was proud of how Craft played.
"We ran a particular play just for him," Smith said. "It is an isolation play run for our best shooter on the floor. We run the press and bring all the movement to one side and he was open in the corner waiting for the pass."
Smith said the play would not go anywhere if the team didn't have a point guard who knows how to run the play.
"I have a point guard, Mark Watson, who doesn't score much, but he is the leader of the team," Smith said. "He will get the ball where his teammates need it and he plays great defense."
Even though the Eagles won the game, Smith said there were some things his team needed to work on when they hit the practice floor tomorrow (Friday).
"I felt like we did a poor job rebounding offensively and defensively," Smith said. "When the ball was shot we stood in the same position instead of fighting for position to get the rebound. You can't get rebounds that way. You have to try and fight, fight, fight."
Towards the end of the game the Eagles had a sizable lead and Smith said he was able to get all 14 of his players some playing time.
"It's hard to play 14 guys to be honest with you," Smith said. "I never try to run up the score, but I want to make sure I am going to win first and then I get those guys who practice with us every day some playing time."
The Eagles next game is on the road in Century, Fla. against Carver Middle School. Smith said he has an extra incentive to beat Carver.
"My little son plays for Flomaton and Carver embarrassed them the other night, so I am going to have to get revenge for him," he said.
Tip off for the game is at 5 p.m.