By By Matthew Nascone
The titans of the Atmore area clashed yet again Monday night in the gymnasium on the campus of Northview High School. The Escambia Academy Cougars and Lady Cougars visited the stomping grounds of the Northview Chiefs and Lady Chiefs for four basketball games.
This battle in the Border War ended with a treaty, as both schools finished the night 2-2.
The night began with the JV girls' teams squaring off on the court. This game was the longest game of the evening. The teams were so evenly matched that this one was decided in overtime.
Northview's Kiauna Grice sealed the deal when she hit a jump shot with under 10 seconds to go in the game. EA made an attempt, but could not come away with a victory.
EA JV girls' coach Larry Bonds said it was a great game by both teams.
"I was pleased with our girls effort," he said. "But we just couldn't pull out the win. I am proud of Taylor Helton and Amber Huskey. They played well and they have been on the court for every minute of our two ball games."
Helton finished the night with a double-double by scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Huskey scored five points and snagged eight rebounds. Kayleigh Miller contributed eight points and six steals. Rachel Fuller and Kristen Matthews scored two points each and Niki Bryan had two steals.
For Northview, Grice scored 25 points, Maranda Baggett and Amber McMillan scored six points each.
The game was tied at the half, tied at the end of regulation and tied with 12 seconds to go in the game.
EA JV boys 37 – NHS 22
The EA boys JV squad opened the second game of the night on a 12-4 run and finished strong to snatch the victory from the Chiefs.
After outscoring NHS 12-4, the Cougars went cold and were outscored 16-7 in the final minutes of the first quarter, the second quarter and the third quarter. The proverbial switch was turned on in the fourth quarter as the Cougars defense held NHS to two points in the final quarter of play for the 37-22 victory.
"We were not getting a good press in the first half," EA head coach Kevin Woods said. "But we got it working in the end and it seemed like the other team was tired. And James White scored some clutch baskets for us there at the end. It was an overall good win for us."
Austin Lee led the Cougars with 16 points, White added 10 points, Michael Mitchell and Kevin Brooks contributed four points, Nate Smith added two points and Jake Taylor scored one point.
EA varsity girls 37 – NHS 31
The EA varsity girls took down the Chiefs in a close game, 37-31. Escambia Academy led 20-17 at halftime, and the Lady Cougars built that lead to a nine-point advantage they took into the fourth quarter and held on for the win.
"It is always good to get that first win of the season," EA head coach Andy Gorum said. "My throat is sore and tired from yelling so much, but that is why it is fun. I was proud of the girls because they didn't give up out there and they played a solid game."
Freshman Jordan Jaye led the way with 18 points for the Lady Cougars. Senior Morgan Dorriety added six points, junior Clare Jones contributed five points and senior Heather White and sophomore Alaina Arnold scored four points in the win.
On the Lady Chiefs' side of the ball Gabe Wesley led all scorers with 11 points. Melissa Garrett dropped in eight points, Timeka Marshall added four points and Karissa Lee, Wanda Knight, Brittney Thompson, Shaquaina Lewis each scored two points.
NHS varsity boys 68 – EA 62
In a game that saw many lead changes, the Northview Chiefs came out on top with a strong surge in the fourth quarter. The game was 49-46 at the end of the third quarter and the Chiefs rallied for a 19-16 fourth quarter.
NHS head coach Leonard White said his team still has some improving to do, but he will take the win.
"We looked sloppy out there," White said. "We didn't look focused and we did not play aggressive, but they didn't give up and I like that. We are making it hard for ourselves and I know we will be more aggressive in the future."
Nakita Myles dropped in 24 points for the Chiefs. Vincent Longmire added 19 points, Tarus Thomas contributed nine points, Darius Austin added five points, James Lewis scored four points and John Donaldson, Jay Jackson and John Yuhasz scored two points each.
Andrew Lambeth fueled the Cougars with 35 points. Cody Norton added 15 points, Blake Kirk and Tyler Harrison each scored four points and Wesley Channel dropped in two points.
Northview faced Atmore Tuesday and EA squared off with Fort Dale in their opening home games Tuesday. The results will be in a future Advance. EA's next game is set for tomorrow at 4 p.m. at home. NHS faces T.R. Miller Friday in Bratt and tipoff is set for 4:30 p.m.