Escambia County rose two spots to No. 3 in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association Class 4A boys basketball poll, which was released today.

Since the last basketball poll, released on Dec. 13, 2017, the Blue Devils improved to 17-4 on Tuesday after defeating W.S. Neal 68-45 in area action. In other holiday basketball action, ECHS beat No. 6 Andalusia 57-44 (who beat No. 7 Monroe County 47-46 on Tuesday); defeated Chickasaw 61-45, Citronelle 51-47 and Southern Choctaw 69-48 to win the Washington County Tournament; beat T.R. Miller 74-29; lost to Hillcrest-Evergreen 58-54; and beat Flomaton 72-52. Additional losses include a 83-78 decision to Vigor on Dec. 15, and a 58-54 result to Clarke County.

Just down the road in Canoe, Escambia Academy’s boys basketball team is on an eight-win streak, after demolishing Resurrection Catholic last Saturday. The Cougars (8-2) beat Central (Ala.) 79-58 and Jay, Fla. 78-67 to win the Jay Christmas Tournament, and then won their New Year’s Classic, defeating Walton High School, Fla. (4A school) 80-79 in championship, and beat Snook 94-45.

Complete boys Class 4A and AISA polls are below
CLASS 4A

1. Oneonta (20-1)

2. Cordova (12-7)

3. Escambia Co. (17-4)

4. Westminster-Huntsville (7-8)

5. Madison Academy (11-7)

6. Andalusia (14-2)

7. Monroe Co. (13-5)

8. West Limestone (14-5)

9. Deshler (15-5)

10. Catholic-Montgomery (14-4)

Others nominated: Ashford (13-8), Cherokee Co. (7-8), Dale Co. (13-6), Haleyville (13-4), Hokes Bluff (14-4), LAMP (11-4), UMS-Wright (15-5).
AISA

1. Macon-East (22-2)

2. Evangel Christian (16-4)

3. East Memorial (14-1)

4. Lakeside (17-5)

5. Morgan Academy (10-3)

6. Lee-Scott (14-7)

7. Pike Liberal Arts (7-4)

8. South Choctaw Academy (12-1)

9. Escambia Academy (8-2)

10. Hooper (9-7)

Others nominated: Abbeville Christian (8-9).