Escambia Academy started off the 2010 basketball season with two impressive wins and a tournament trophy as they won the Thanksgiving tournament hosted by Lowndes Academy on Monday and Tuesday.

The Cougars (2-0, 0-0) won the championship game of the tournament over Marengo Academy 41-40 with the game coming down the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

Cougars head coach Kevin Woods said winning the tournament is an exciting start to the season.

“Our boys worked really hard to win this, so it’s very exciting,” Woods said. “This is the first tournament we’ve played in other than the postseason in several years, to win it is exciting.”

The Cougars had to battle with the Longhorns and trailed for the entire first half as the Longhorns jumped out to an 11-6 lead in the first quarter and took the lead into halftime up 23-19.

In the second half, the Cougars began clawing away at the Longhorns’ lead and manage to pull within two points in the third quarter down 31-29.

The Cougars grabbed the momentum in the fourth quarter and took control of the game outscoring the Longhorns 12-9 to pull out the championship with a 41-40 win.

Cougar Keaton Maher led the team with a double-double scoring 14 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. He also had three steals.

Tanner Kirk scored 10 points for EA, while grabbing three rebounds and two steals.

Tournament MVP Darron McGhee recorded nine points, 15 rebounds, two steals and one block in the win.

Cougar Jaylen Henry recorded eight points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Woods said winning the tournament is a good way to start the season.

“This is great to start the season with two wins,” he said. “Anytime you are 2-0 with those wins coming over rivals is a great way to begin the season.”

Cougars 57

Warriors 54

The Escambia Academy Cougars opened their season with a 57-54 victory over the Sparta Academy Warriors in the Thanksgiving tournament hosted by Lowndes Academy.

The Cougars won the game in the fourth quarter after falling behind 42-36 in the third quarter.

Cougar Darron McGhee led the team with a double-double scoring 22 points and pulling down 11 rebounds.

Other Cougars with points included Tanner Kirk (8 points), Keaton Maher (7 points), Brandon Goddard (7 points), Jordan Sasser (4 points) and Tanner Boatwright (2 points).