Special to The Messenger

The Pike Liberal Arts School boys' basketball team enjoyed its trip to Escambia County this weekend.

The Patriots won all four games of the round-robin Escambia Tournament, and three players received individual honors. Brandon Hooks was named tournament MVP, and Andrew Folmar and Dean Anderson were named to the all-tournament team as Pike Lib improved to 12-2 on the season.

The first game on Friday was the toughest of the four. Pike Lib defeated Pickens 59-50 to start the tournament off right. Hooks led the Patriots with 20 points, and Anderson added 12. Folmar scored nine, Daniel Hussey added eight and Jonah McWaters scored seven.

The Patriots jumped out early in the game, taking an 18-8 lead after the first quarter. The Patriots sustained their momentum in the second quarter, and the maintained the 10-point advantage at the half, leading 36-26.

PLAS pulled away in the third, outscoring Pickens 11-7 in the third quarter to take a 47-33 lead. Pickens battled back in the fourth, but the Patriots were too tough and held on for the 59-50 victory.

In Friday's second game, the Patriots took on host school Escambia.

The first quarter was close, as the Patriots led only 18-14 after the first frame. The second quarter was important for the Patriots, as they extended the lead to 39-25.

Escambia scored only 14 points in the entire second half, and the Patriots ended the first day 2-0 with a 66-39 victory.

Hooks led the Patriots again with 25 points. McWaters added 12, and Folmar scored nine.

Saturday's action began with another second-half surge. As the Patriots took on Wilcox in Saturday's first game, they looked to be in a dogfight at the half.

The Patriots led only 12-10 after the first quarter, and they found themselves locked together in a 17-17 tie at the half.

In the third quarter, PLAS outscored Wilcox 20-6 to take a 37-23 lead. The Patriots extended the lead to 27 points in the final frame and won 56-29.

Hooks scored 21 in the game, followed by Hussey's eight and McWaters' seven.

In the final game, PLAS handed Autauga Academy a 71-37 defeat to claim the outright title.

PLAS led 20-12 after the first quarter and 37-28 at the half. But the third quarter was a strange one as the Patriots shut out Autauga 20-0 to extend the lead to 57-28.

The Patriots coasted to a 71-37 victory in the final quarter, scoring only 14 points.

Folmar led the Patriots in that game with 24 points. Hooks scored 17, and Chase Avant added seven.

The Patriots begin region play this week. They face Morgan on Tuesday and Fort Dale on Thursday, both games at home.