By By Chandler Myers
The Escambia Academy Lady Cougars fell to a 1-1 record after being narrowly defeated 35-34 by the Central Lady Jaguars from Milton, Fla.
The Lady Cougars and Lady Jaguars each struggled in the first half with the Lady Cougars coming away with 13 points and Central netting eight.
Head coach Heath Gibson said his team just started out sluggish and had trouble finding a rhythm against their opponents.
Sophomores KayLeigh Miller and Taylor Helton led the offense for the Lady Cougars in the first half with four points each. Miller finished the game with four points and Helton ended the night with seven points.
After halftime, the Lady Cougars came alive and began hitting all of their shots.
Sophomore Amber Huskey too charge after only scoring two points in the first half and scored eight in the third quarter. Huskey scored 12 points in the game to lead the Lady Cougars.
At the end of the third the Lady Cougars led the Lady Jaguars 26-14.
Gibson said the Lady Cougars settled down in the third quarter and spread the ball around, which helped them score 13 points in that quarter.
In the final quarter, something went wrong for the Lady Cougars, as they only scored eight points, but allowed Central to score 21 and pull ahead for the victory.
Gibson said his team still has a long way to go before they are in true game shape. He added that they will be working on controlling the game in practice to prepare for their next opponent.
The Lady Cougars next game is against Sparta at home in Canoe. The games begin at 4 p.m.
Escambia Acad. 39
Monroe Acad. 34
The Lady Cougars of Canoe beat the Monroe Academy Lady Volunteers 39-34 in their opening game of the 2008-09 season.
The Cougars (1-0) defeated the Volunteers under the leadership of head coach Heath Gibson who has returned as the girls varsity basketball coach.
The Cougars opened up the game and did not score often in the first quarter only posting three points off a field goal by sophomore Kristen Matthews and a free throw by senior Sara Beth Davis. Matthews finished the game with eight points and Davis scored one.
In the second quarter, the Lady Cougars opened the flood gates and netted 12 points with help from seniors Alaina Arnold and Andrea Nall, sophomores Amber Huskey, Rachel Fuller and Taylor Helton. At halftime, the game was tied 15-15.
Arnold scored four points in the victory, and Nall had three points off three free throws. Huskey led the Lady Cougars with nine points, while Helton posted six points, and Fuller finished the night with four points.
Gibson said the first half was up and down, but added the girls were adjusting to game time situations.
Huskey took charge in the third and fourth quarters by scoring seven of her nine points. Matthews supported Huskey’s efforts by scoring six of her eight points.
Gibson said the team did a good job of taking control in the second half and not letting the lead slip to a good team.