Escambia Academy picked up a victory over the South Choctaw Academy Rebels last Friday winning 62-51.

The Cougars picked up the win by a decisive margin after battling with the Rebels in the first half.

In the first quarter, Escambia Academy swapped baskets with the Rebels, but came away from the period with an 18-15 lead.

The Rebels bounced back in the second quarter outscoring the Cougars 12-8, which gave them a 27-26 lead going into halftime.

Following halftime, the Cougars put together two strong quarters to pull away for the win.

Escambia Academy took the lead for the final time in the third quarter as they dominated the eight-minute period 19-5 to pull ahead 45-32.

The Cougars were beaten 19-17 in the fourth quarter, but the big third period outburst gave them the leverage they needed as they won 62-51.

Darren McGhee and Jordan Sasser led the Cougars with double doubles in the win. McGhee posted 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Sasser recorded 10 points and 15 rebounds in the wi n. Sasser also had six assists.

Brett Helton scored 12 points and had one steal for EA.

Cougar Bryant Lambert chipped in eight points for the Cougars to go along with 10 rebounds and two steals.

Escambia Academy’s Jaylen Henry posted six points, four assists and one rebound, while Blake Quimby had two points, two rebounds and two assists.

The Cougars next game will be Tuesday on the road at Sparta Academy in Evergreen. Games begin at 4 p.m.

Cougars JV 45
Rebels JV 26

In junior varsity action, the Escambia Academy Cougars dominated the South Choctaw Academy Rebels 45-26.

Escambia Academy led the entire way they built a strong first-half lead.

The Cougars won the battle for momentum in the first quarter as they pulled ahead of the Rebels 12-8 at the buzzer.

Escambia Academy’s run continued in the second quarter as they dominated the Rebels on both ends of the court winning the period 16-6. At halftime, the Cougars led 28-14.

The Rebels found some rhythm in the third quarter as they outscored the Cougars 12-9, but things would go back in favor of EA after that.

In the fourth quarter, the Cougars shut the Rebels offense out winning the period 8-0 to come away with the 45-26 win.

Cougar Garrett Kirk led the Cougars in the victory scoring 21 points and pulling down 12 rebounds.

Scott Brantley chipped in seven points for EA to go along with four steals and two rebounds.

Escambia Academy’s Jake Leachman posted six points in the win and had four assists and one rebound.

Cougar Kanoia Gumapac scored three points in the win.