ESCC hoops opens 2021 season

The Enterprise State Community College (ESCC) Boll Weevils and Lady Boll Weevils opened up their home schedule at the “Boll Weevil Den” last week against the Andrew College Tigers on Nov. 9 with both the men and women suffering losses.

The Boll Weevils jumped out to a sizeable lead in the first half before taking a 39-38 lead into halftime. The Tigers came back in the second half and built their own sizeable lead until Enterprise State started chipping away that lead.

Eventually, ESCC cut the Andrew lead to 79-78 with a three-pointer with just 10 seconds remaining. Enterprise State immediately fouled a Tiger player, who then proceeded to knock down a pair of free throw to extend their lead to 81-78. The Weevils last-second three attempt bounced off the rim and Andrew College held on to the win.

Eufaula native Willie Screws led the Boll Weevils with 18 points, while Abbeville’s Jaquan Kinsey chipped in with 15 points and Carver-Montgomery’s Jalen Gaston also scored 15 points.

The Lady Weevils also lost 88-68 against Andrew College with the Lady Tigers controlling most of the game. Andrew College led 25-18 at the end of the first quarter and then took a 49-30 lead into halftime. The Lady Weevils managed to outscore Andrew College 23-20 in the third quarter to cut the Lady Tiger lead to 69-53 going into the fourth quarter, but couldn’t get any closer than that.

Enterprise State was led by Phenix City’s Erin Johnson with 17 points, while Jordan Sinclair of Ponce de Leon (Fla.) added 13 points and Ariton native Zaykeria Johnson scored 12 points.

The Boll Weevils hit the road on Nov. 11 and dropped a tough game with Albany Tech 89-67 after falling behind early.

“In the first half they jumped on us and we didn’t guard on-ball very well and let them penetrate in the paint,” ESCC coach Jeremaine Williams said. “We came out and defended really well in the second half, though. We just have to understand you can’t play the game of basketball if you don’t play defense.

“You have to take pride in defense. We took a step back from (the Andrew College game). We played well against them and didn’t play very well at all (against Albany Tech).”

ESCC was led by Kincey’s 18 points, while Atlanta (Ga.) native Malik Wiggins score 10 points.

The Lady Weevils also fell 71-60 to Albany Tech with Lilly Brooks scoring 12 points, Johnson scoring 11 points and Jesslyn Culverhouse chipping with 10 points.

“We have to finish around the rim,” Williams emphasized. “We missed layups in transition under the basket too much.

“We also had a lack of concentration at the free throw line again. That has been a struggle for us but we did fight back after getting down pretty bad and I was proud of that. We have to understand that we have to lead with our defense, though.”

ESCC is back at home this Thursday, Nov. 18, against undefeated Lawson State with the Lady Weevils tipping off at 5:30 p.m. and the Weevils set to begin at 7:30 p.m.