By By Matthew Nascone
Placing third in the state tournament is a great accomplishment. That is what Escambia Academy girl's JV basketball head coach Larry Bonds told his girls. And Bonds had his reasons for saying what he did.
"I was proud of the way they played and I told them that 15-2 is a great record and something to be proud of," Bonds said. "I was proud with how they played. The never quit and they showed a lot of heart as they hung in there and made a run for the state title."
The girls dispatched of Coosa Valley 38-26 in the first round of the tournament Jan. 21 in Wilcox.
"It was a close game in the first half, but our girls pulled away at the end," Bonds said. "We played a tough, physical team and came out on top. I was happy with the win."
Alaina Arnold led the Lady Cougars with 14 points. Jordan Jaye added 11 points, Macey Singleton contributed nine points and Kayleigh Miller and Andrea Nall added two points each.
EA's semifinal game against Morengo was a different story.
"It seemed like everything worked against us," Bonds said. "We underestimated their fast break ability and we found ourselves in a 17-8 hole at halftime. By the time we adjusted it was too late."
Bonds said the Lady Cougars fought back from a 16-point deficit, but couldn't grab the win, losing 32-24.
Jaye led the Lady Cougars with nine points and was named to the All-Tournament team. Singleton and Nall added five points each, Arnold added three points and Miller contributed two points.
Morengo went on to defeat Patrician in the championship game to claim the state title.
The Lady Cougars have three games left, but Bonds said he is going to let the girls have some fun with these games.
The girls face Jackson Academy Jan. 27.