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Quinton Odom cherished the moment.

With 5:02 left in the fourth period, the Escambia Academy senior guard made one of two free throws and scored his 1,000th career point during the No. 4 Cougars’ 54-38 victory over Oak Park Christian tonight in Canoe.

Once Odom made the foul shot, EA boys basketball coach Jerome Webster called a timeout to let the student section and fans celebrate the milestone.

Odom looked around with a smile on his face; players and close family congratulated him.

“It’s a big deal because number one, he brings a lot of character to the team, leadership and everything else,” Webster said about what it’s like having the senior play for EA. “He gives us 100 percent. Our guys, when they look at him, when they’re playing with him, they give 100 percent, too.”

After Odom’s milestone shot, he missed his second, but made a block on the other end. EA led 50-27 at that point in the game.

With the victory, the Cougars improve to 9-2 overall, and visit Snook Christian on Tuesday to begin AISA Class 1A, Region 2 play.

Odom led EA with 24 points, Rontae Watson contributed with 19 and Charlie Sasser added six in the effort.

Earlier in the game, Watson hit an old-fashioned three-point play in the opening period, and Odom chased it with a 3-pointer for a 9-4 advantage. Odom then got a steal and dunk; Watson hit back-to-back layups and got a layup late after an Odom steal. EA led 17-8 going into the second period.

Throughout the contest, the Cougars played solid defense, and converted on the offensive end.

EA’s victory over the Spartans took place less than a month after OPC won in Mobile by two on Dec. 11, 2023.

“We executed more, and we weren’t in shape the last time,” Webster said. “We got in a little more shape so we can run with them.”

That the Cougars did.

EA led 27-18 at halftime, and 47-23 going into the fourth period.

Oak Park’s Dashawn Beverly and Leortist Williams scored nine points each to lead the Spartans.