By By Chandler Myers
The flood gates opened Monday afternoon as the skies opened and rained poured down on the City of Atmore.
The extreme amount of rain caused streets to flood and has closed schools today and yesterday.
It also affected local sports as Escambia County High School was forced to cancel its away game at Monroe County High.
It never helps to have to cancel a game especially this close Christmas and the beginning of area play because once area play starts who knows when you could get an opening in the schedule again.
Hopefully, the schools can agree on a specific date and get the game played without any further problems.
This weekend, the Blue Devils will play in the Escambia County Tournament at Flomaton High School.
The Blue Devils are the defending county champions, and look primed to make a run for that title again after defeating two of the opponents they will play earlier in the season.
This tournament would be a great time for Atmore’s team to get focused and bring their game together, so they can make a run at the Class 5A, Area 1 basketball title as well as enter the state playoffs.
Both varsity squads in Canoe have gotten their seasons going on high notes with the girls now at a 7-1 mark after defeating Crenshaw Academy.
Head coach Heath Gibson said before the season that this team would have a good shot at the AISA Class 2A title, and from the way they have begun the season that is a definite possibilty.
The Cougars boys are also above .500 with a 5-3 record early this season. If they continue to play at a high level they should also push for a state championship.
This week the boys play at home against Atmore Christian School, and follow that up with a trip to Rocky Bayou where the varsity girls will also play.
Be sure to check out a game this week if you have not had the chance to this season.
Basketball is a great sport, and it has been fun to visit several of the games this season and even to watch the Academy on the road at Central Christian School in Robertsdale.
Things will only get more exciting after Christmas with area and region play getting started.
All of the teams around Atmore should make strong pushes for the postseason, which would make for great news.
Chandler Myers is sports editor of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123 or by e-mail at sports@atmoreadvance.com.