By By Matthew Nascone
The Alabama Independent School Association East Region squad was defeated in both the boy's and girl's basketball All-Star game, but the games had a silver lining for Escambia Academy fans.
That lining for the fans was knowing three Cougars represented EA in the games. Lori Bonds and Allison Thomas played for the East squad from the Lady Cougars and Jeffery Taylor represented EA on the boy's team.
"I was very proud for our players because they got to show off their talent," EA head girl's basketball coach and athletic director said. "When you get a chance to showcase your talent against 12 of the best in the league that is great."
Bonds not only showcased her talent, but also won the East team Most Valuable Player award as she scored 14 points.
"Lori put up some good numbers in the game," Gibson said. "She did that all year and that is why she was in the game to begin with. The other coaches might not have seen her play, but her stats spoke for her."
Gibson said Thomas was selected because of her aggressive play on defense.
"The other coaches picked her on her defensive ability and because she has a good shot," Gibson said.
Her tenacious defense was there in the All-Star game and she also scored eight points for her team.
As the lone representative for the Cougars on the East boy's squad Taylor dropped in 10 points and he grabbed another honor during the weekend. He came away as the three-point contest champion.
"They were fortunate to have Jeff," Gibson said.
With the 24 teams in AISA Class 1A-3A it is a great honor to place a player on the team and to have two representatives is almost unheard of.
"We were fortunate to get two girls because it is hard to do that with all the talent in this league," Gibson said. "This says a lot about our basketball program. These are good kids and I am glad they got to play in this game."