By By Matthew Nascone
The Escambia Academy JV Lady Cougars tasted the sweet taste of victory Saturday as they won the EA JV girl's basketball tournament.
The girls defeated Monroe in their first game. They took on Sparta in the championship game and took care of business to win the tournament and add another piece of hardware to the trophy case in the Escambia Academy gym.
The wins boosted the girls record to 6-1.
"I was really pleased with our JV girls and I felt like they played hard," EA head girl's basketball coach Heath Gibson said. "They probably played the two best games they have played all season."
Gibson said the Sparta game is always a big game.
"Those are two of your better 2A JV teams and I know when you get a big victory like that it means a lot to the girls and to coach (Larry) Bonds," Gibson said. "Every win means a lot because they want to go to the JV state championship."
Gibson said only the top eight teams in the area get to participate in the state championship tournament at the JV level.
Gibson said he is using the JV girls' success as fuel to make sure his varsity squad stays on track.
"In practice I gave the example of how hard the JV girls played and the effort they showed and told them that is what we like to see as a coaching staff," Gibson said. "That kind of effort goes a long way and I am sure coach Bonds is happy with their effort.
Alaina Arnold was named the tournament MVP with 15 points for the tournament and Andrea Nall was named to the all-tournament team with nine points. Jordan Jaye added 18 points, Macey Singleton put in 12 points, Sarah Beth Davis added eight points and Kaylieigh Miller contributed four points.