By By Matthew Nascone
The Escambia County Lady Blue Devils did many things they have never done in school history during the 2006-07 season. ECHS broke the school record for wins, finishing with a 27-7 record and they won the Escambia County Tournament for the first time ever.
Leading the Lady Blue Devils in all of their endeavors was first-year head coach Todd Reynolds. Reynolds came to ECHS from Central-Haynesville High School where he had taken the boys' basketball team to the state championship game.
In his first year in Atmore, Reynolds took the Lady Blue Devils to the AHSAA Class 4A, South Regional final in Trojan Arena on the campus of Troy University.
These accomplishments led to Reynolds being named the inaugural Atmore Advance Coach of the Year for the 2006-07 basketball season.
Reynolds brought a fire and intensity to the Lady Blue Devils basketball team with his full-court press attack on defense and his fast-break mentality on the offensive side of the ball.
ECHS Blue Devils head coach Jerome Antone knew at the beginning of the year that Reynolds would be a good hire for ECHS. Here is an excerpt of what Antone said of Reynolds' coaching style and what he could bring to Atmore.
"He is a great addition to the athletic program here at Escambia County High School," he said. "He brings a great demeanor to the program and the kids are excited to work with him. And he has had some success, so he knows what to do in those important games."
And Antone was correct about the important games department. Reynolds guided the Lady Blue Devils through sub-regional play against Andalusia High School and all the way to the South Regional final. He also accomplished a task that has not happened in many years, the Lady Devils swept rival T.R. Miller High School in their season series.