The Escambia Academy Lady Cougars’ basketball team returns talent and experience to the court this season after a playoff run last year.

“We kick off the season pretty soon,” said coach David Walker, who led the team to the playoffs last year. “The first game is slated for Thursday, Nov. 14, against Sparta Academy.

In addition to a strong nucleus of talent, including Lacie Flowers, Grayson Emmons and Peyton Snider, the Lady Cougars also return Allison Woods and post player Anna Catherine Smith.

Reserve wing players Megan Fornie and Claire Dawe are also returning.

Walker said Mikayla Spruill “will be somewhere in the mix.”

“She’s such a good athlete,” he said.

Josie Franco and Haley Leachman will come in at the point guard position, while Cat Sasser, Reagan Bell and Lindsay Weatherford will also play.

Walker said Leachman and Spruill are the only two new faces on the squad.

“I kept 19 on the team last year, strictly to keep sophomores on the team,” he said. “I knew I’d need them this year. It’s a good thing I held onto them.”

Walker said he expects the team to be competitive in the region this year.

“We’ll be in the mix,” he said. “If we don’t win it, we’re going to scare somebody to death.”