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Cougars will play Trinity Thursday at 10:30 a.m. in the Final Four

MONTGOMERY – Escambia Academy’s Ronta Watson scored 34 points to help lead the Cougars to a 60-46 victory over The Oaks in an AISA Class 1A state quarterfinal Feb. 11 at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex.

The Cougars and Oak school played even during the first period. EA took a 16-14 lead going into the second.

EA basketball coach Jerome Webster said the boys got over some early game jitters, and settled into the game.

“At the end, Ronta took us, and took the game where we needed it to be,” Webster said. “Bryce rebounded (15 rebounds), and we’ve got to get better.”

He added that the boys rebounded well in the game.

Utilizing a half-court defense, the Cougars went on a 7-0 run offensively, and led 29-24 at the break.

Webster said putting in the half-court defense in the second period helped in the effort.

Watson scored 19 of his total points in the first half.

EA then went on a 8-0 run in the third period, and led 44–31 going into fourth.

Bryce Stevens caught a rebound and putback, and Ty McCants hit a layup to make it a 48-31 game early in the fourth period.

The Cougars held on to their lead for the rest of the contest.

Watson’s first point of the game came on a technical foul on The Oaks as the visiting team hit a dunk during warm ups.

EA will face Trinity tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. in the Final Four.

McCants and Christian Burks added eight points each in the win.