Escambia County is working to get better and gel as a unit as the Lady Blue Devils tip off their 2017-18 campaign tomorrow at home against Vigor.

Lady Blue Devils head girls basketball coach Maurice Bradley said the team is focused on getting a solid foundation poured for the program.

“As right now, we are focused on getting the system in play offensively, and gaining an aggressive passion for defense,” Bradley said. “The ultimate goal this season is to play for the area championship. These girls have been working hard trying to understand the new things we are doing.

“As a coach this year, I feel if we play great defense, our offense will come,” he said.

ECHS is made up of two seniors, a bunch of juniors and a few girls who haven’t played basketball before, Bradley said.

“This season, I want to see my girls get good at what we do, and gel together as a unit,” he said. “We will focus primarily on fundamentals and getting good at the little things.”

Returning starters for the Lady Blue Devils include Darriona Nickson, Jacala Nickson and Zaria Smith. Nichols will start at center, Smith at power forward and Nickson at point guard.

In area play, ECHS will compete with Monroe County, Andalusia and W.S. Neal in Class 4A, Area 2.

Bradley said the team to beat is MCHS.

“They have decent guard play, along with a team of gritty others who play good defense,” he said.