By By Chandler Myers
Despite several Lady Blue Devils being suspended for four games following a bench-clearing confrontation at Vigor on Jan. 4, Atmore’s girls basketball team topped Gulf Shores with their first region win of the season after defeating the Lady Dolphins 44-39.
The Lady Blue Devils (7-4, 1-1) picked up the win by shutting down Gulf Shores’ offense in the second half.
Lady Blue Devils freshman guard Diamond Williams paced Escambia County with a team-high 13 points. Williams also recorded nine assists, six rebounds and four steals.
In the first quarter, the Lady Blue Devils were able to gain a slight advantage by outscoring the visiting Lady Dolphins 8-7.
Gulf Shores was able to gain control in the second quarter outscoring the Lady Devils 12-7 giving them a 19-15 halftime lead.
After halftime, the game was all Lady Blue Devils as they outscored Gulf Shores in both quarters.
In the third quarter, the Lady Blue Devils regained the lead as they outscored Gulf Shores 10-5.
They extended their lead in the final period putting up 19 points and holding the Lady Dolphins to 15.
With the scoring barrage in the second half, the Lady Blue Devils won their first region game.
Lady Blue Devils Head Coach John Saxon said his team played well down the stretch to get the win.
Lady Blue Devils recording stats in the win included guard Jasmine Ireland with 12 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and five steals; forward Canausha Crenshaw with 10 points, 13 rebounds, six blocks, five steals and three assists and Cha’Nae Lyles with six points, 10 steals, six rebounds and five assists.