By Cecil Folds

Fort Dale Academy was the setting for a four-game matchup between the Monroe Academy Volunteers and the Eagles, as they went to battle on the basketball court on Friday night.

The Eagles netted a clean sweep as all four teams bested the Vols in hard fought competition.

The JV girls led the way with the first victory of 32-18.  The Eagles got off to a slow start and scored no points in the first quarter while Monroe netted 6 points.  The Eagles were still short by one at the half with a score of 8-9, but came out of the locker room after the half hitting 17 points in the third and 7 in the fourth while holding the Vols to 9 additional points.

Ginny Coker was high scorer with 8, followed by Sydney Folds with 6.  There were two 3-point shots in the game-one from Folds and the other from Catherine Pope.

The girls were four of 13 at the free throw line.

JV boys won their match 33-15.  They ended the first quarter with a 10-point lead and never slacked up.  The half ended with a 17-point lead, and the third quarter produced a 21-point margin, allowing the Eagles to cruise to victory with all players gaining valuable experience on the court.

Top scorers were Dalton Daniels with 12 points, with one of those being a three, with Jacob Foster netting seven points . Lane Cater and John Milan Gaston added a three point shot each.

The boys were 5 of 12 at free throws.

The hot hand continued with the FDA varsity girls in a 45-27 win.  They took off in the first quarter and dominated the court each quarter with comfortable leads.

There were only two three pointers netted- both by Alex Little.  Lucy Bates came out top scorer with 14 points, followed closely by Anna Blake Langford with 13.  Alex Little and Bailey Coker each netted 6 points.

The girls shot 7 for 14 at free throws.

Seniors Lucy Bates, Bailey Coker and Tucker Whiddon were presented plaques by FDA head basketball coach Reggie Mantooth during the pre-game senior night recognition.

The varsity boys had a tough game on their hands and had to dig deep for the victory, but dig they did and won 58-50.  The first half ended with only a 2-point difference, as did the third quarter. 

The Eagles played tough defense and their offense–dominated by Luke Taylor, who netted 38 game points–just dug in and had bulldog tenacity to earn the win.

There were four 3-pointers for the game–three from Taylor and one from Tripp Richardson.

The boys netted 22 of 30 shots at the foul line.

Mantooth presented plaques to seniors Luke Taylor, Tripp Richardson, Bryan Folds, Michael Lecoq, Douglas Crews, Jason Little, Harrison Johnston and Ty Casey.

Luke Taylor was also presented a basketball in recognition of netting his 1000th career point.

The teams played their last regular season game in Selma on Monday night and then the varsity teams will begin tournament play on Thursday.