By By Adam Robinson – sports editor
The W.S. Neal Eagles dropped two games this week with a 41-33 loss to J.U. Blacksher and a 42-33 loss to the Excel Panthers at home.
With the losses, Neal fell to 2-6 on the season.
After being down by only one point at the half, Excel used 13 points to the Eagles four and built a 33-23 lead.
W.S. Neal got two points from Kendrick Floyd with 6:27 left in the game to end an 8-0 run by the visiting Panthers team.
After falling behind 36-31 with 2:50 left, Neal cut the lead to 36-33 after two Chris Payne free throws with 1:28 left.
W.S. Neal had their opportunity to tie the game or get within one after a turnover by the Panthers, but a missed shot. The play gave the ball back to the Panthers who built a 40-33 lead with 20 seconds left in the game.
After the Excel point, W.S. Neal turned the ball over on the inbound play as Excel went on to a 42-33 win.
The Eagles will be back in action Thursday when they host the Escambia County Tournament.
W.S. Neal will square off against Flomaton in an 8:00 p.m. match up on Thursday.
In the loss to Blacksher, the Eagles held a one point lead at the end of the first quarter, but fell behind 23-15 at the half en route to the 41-33 loss.
In the B team game, the W.S. Neal B team split in recent games as the Eagles took a loss to J.U. Blacksher Friday night in Uriah, but defeated Excel Monday night at home.
With the split the Eagles improved to 3-5 on the season.
In the win against Excel, seven different players scored for the Eagles as W.S. Neal won 25-17.
W.S. Neal took an early 7-0 lead courtesy of Kenny Kiser's four points and Michael Thomas' 3-pointer with 4:15 to go in the first.
Excel got on the board with 3:52 as they narrowed the lead to 7-2, but Tra Dixon connected for two points for the Eagles with 45 seconds left as Neal held a 9-2 lead at the end of the first.
After extending their lead to 11-2, Excel cut the lead to 11-5, but Lawrence Bowman connected for a 3-pointer with 47 seconds to put Neal up 14-5 as Excel added two points to cut the Eagle lead to 14-7 at the half.
W.S. Neal came out at the half and built an 18-7 lead with 4:37 and held a 20-13 lead at the end of the third quarter.
Neal then took a 25-13 lead with 3:45 as that would be the final points of the game for the Eagles as Excel had points late as Neal won 25-17.
In the loss to Uriah, the Eagles trailed 23-19 at the half but tied the game at 29-all at the end of the third before falling 41-37.
Kenny Kiser and Michael Thomas led the Eagles with 8 points.