By By Matthew Nascone
After opening the season in the Bob Jones Tip off Classic with three straight losses, the Escambia County Lady Blue Devils won two straight games to move their record to 2-3.
The second win was a 55-50 win over Hillcrest-Evergreen Friday night in Atmore.
"Our two offensive stars did not have a very good performance tonight, but our team rallied behind them and we did the necessary things at the end of the game to win," ECHS head coach Ray Greer said.
Greer said another star stepped up for the Lady Blue Devils against Hillcrest.
"Anushk'a Banks played well at both ends of the floor tonight and she rebounded the ball well and had only one turnover," he said. "That is what is so good about this team. It does not have one girl who is high scorer every game. Anyone can step up and lead the team."
Banks, a senior, led the team with 14 points and played aggressively all night, according to Greer.
Banks and the Lady Devils went to the free throw line a lot in the final minutes of the game. Hillcrest was in the double bonus with two minutes to go in the game.
"Not settling for jump shots is what won us the game because we were able to draw the fouls and get to the line," Greer said.
Greer said there was one problem with the win.
"Our biggest problem is we are still not finishing and that was our problem in Madison," he said. "We played awesome defense and got the ball around the rim, but couldn't finish it. We have to keep practicing our stuff and get better."
Hillcrest led 28-26 at halftime and Greer said that would have been the perfect time for his team to give up, but they did not.
"We had a chance there to get depressed and hang our heads, but I thought they held their heads up high well and they fought to win the game," Greer said.
The Lady Devils took the lead immediately in the third quarter with a three-pointer, and led 39-36 entering the fourth quarter. The lead went back-and-forth in the fourth quarter, with ECHS hanging on for the close win.
Senior Latesha Lee contributed 13 points for the Lady Devils. Senior T.T. Jennings had 8 points, junior Courtney English had 7 points, senior Megan Hartley added 5 points, sophomore Jodeci Craft had 3 points and senior Taneika Crimbley added 2 points.
The Lady Devils traveled to Clarke County Saturday and Alma Bryant Tuesday and results will be in an upcoming Advance. Next up for ECHS is Vigor at home Friday. Tip off for the JV boys' game is set for 4:45 p.m.