By By Chandler Myers
Escambia Academy’s Lady Cougars dropped a game 56-37 to their rivals the Sparta Academy Lady Warriors on Monday at Sparta.
The Lady Cougars (3-8, 0-3) started the game slow and could not keep up with the Lady Warriors late in the game.
In the first quarter, the Lady Warriors jumped out to a 20-7 lead and caused the Lady Cougars to turn the ball over several times.
The following quarter things were a little closer, but Sparta again outscored the Lady Cougars of Canoe 14-9. At halftime, the Lady Cougars went into the locker room down 34-16.
Lady Cougars sophomore Amber Huskey was the leader for EA scoring nine points. Huskey also posted 13 rebounds, two blocks and one assist.
Senior Andrea Nall added nine points and four rebounds in the loss.
Lady Cougars head coach Heath Gibson said the first half problems were created by missed opportunities.
After halftime, the game was a little more even, but the same results were yielded.
In the third quarter, the Lady Cougars scored nine points, but allowed the Lady Warriors to score 11.
In the final quarter, EA outscored the Lady Warriors finally 12-11, but never found a rhythm to catch up to Sparta.
Gibson said turnovers were a problem the entire game for his team.
Sophomore KayLeigh Miller chipped in eight points in the loss. Miller also had five rebounds and three assists.
Sophomore Taylor Helton scored five points, while pulling down seven boards and recorded five steals and one assist.
Senior Malori McGhee scored four points, pulled down four rebounds and had one steal.
Sophomore Samantha Lee added two points and had one rebound for the Lady Cougars.
The Lady Cougars next game is Friday at Meadowview. Tip off is at 6 p.m.
Southern Acad. 45
Escambia Acad. 38
The Escambia Academy Lady Cougars fought hard on the road, but came up short against the Southern Academy Lady Cougars 45-38 on Saturday.
The Lady Cougars (3-7, 0-2) started the game strong and held the other Lady Cougars back in the first quarter.
In the first period of play, EA scored eight points and only allowed Southern to score six points, which was one of the Lady Cougars’ best defensive performances in a quarter this season.
The lead would not last for long as the Southern Lady Cougars took control of the game in the second quarter.
The EA Lady Cougars faltered on defense and fell into a hole as they allowed 17 points to be scored against them in the second period, while only putting up 11 offensively. At halftime, Southern led Escambia 23-19.
Sophomores led the Academy throughout the game. Sophomore Amber Huskey scored nine points and led the Lady Cougars with eight rebounds, two blocks and one assist.
Sophomore Taylor Helton scored nine points and pulled down five boards with two assists and two steals.
Lady Cougars head coach Heath Gibson said the first and second quarters were a struggle for his team offensively.
In the third quarter, the Southern Lady Cougars continued to increase their lead and scored 10 points. The visiting EA Lady Cougars scored six points and going into the final quarter Southern led 33-25.
In the fourth and final period of play, the Lady Cougars of EA found life and outscored Southern again by notching 13 points. The scoring by EA would not help much as it barely put a dent in Southern’s lead as they scored 12 points and won the game 45-38.
Gibson said free throws and foul trouble kept his team from cutting into their opponent’s lead.
Sophomore Kristen Matthews led EA in scoring with 12 points, Matthews also passed out two assists and pulled down one rebound in the loss.
Senior Andrea Nall scored three points and had four rebounds and one assist. Senior Sara Beth Davis scored two points and had six boards and one assist in the loss.
Sophomore Rachel Fuller notched two points and recorded one rebound and one assist, while sophomore KayLeigh Miller scored one point. Miller also had three assists, two rebounds and one steal.