Monroe names Randolph-Clay’s Acree as new coach

ALBANY — Jennifer Acree is coming home.

The Herald has learned that the former Dougherty High School basketball standout and Randolph-Clay girls coach will replace Cheryl Cheeks as Monroe High’s new coach, pending approval from the board and a background check.

“It’s been a long-time coming,” said Acree, The Herald’s reigning Coach of the Year who also guided Randolph-Clay to the Class A public school state championship this season.

“I’m happy to be a part of the rich tradition of basketball at Monroe. I’m ready to get started.”

Monroe principal Vincent Davis said about 25 applicants were narrowed to seven.

“It was a pretty tight field with the caliber of applicants,” Davis said. “After interviewing seven, the selection committee felt she was the one to take the program to the next level. We offered and she accepted.”

An all-region forward at Dougherty from 1992-96, Acree helped the Lady Trojans to a state runner-up finish in 1994, then played an integral part in helping Dougherty reach the state semifinals her junior and senior seasons.

She coached at Screven County in Southeast Georgia before spending the last seven seasons at Randolph-Clay. She guided the Lady Red Devils to a state runner-up finish in 2013.

She said leaving the Cuthbert school was a tough decision. She informed the team Friday afternoon that she was leaving.

“It was very emotional,” Acree said. “It’s very hard to leave them.”

Acree will inherit a strong team many consider will make a deep postseason run next season. The Lady Tornadoes return the bulk of their team that finished 25-5 and made the state quarterfinals, including Super 6er Key Key Price and standout sophomores Cekeya Mack and Jomekia Morine.

She is also familiar with the program. The two schools played four times during the past two seasons with Monroe taking three of four.

“We only beat them once,” she said. “I’m very impressed with their defensive effort since I’m defensive-minded anyway plus they are a track and field powerhouse and a lot of those girls also play basketball, too.”

Davis said he’s excited about the hire.

“It’s good to be able to come back and be welcomed with open arms,” Acree said. “I thank God for the opportunity and I know the Lord ordered me to Monroe. I believe we’ll have similar results like we had at Randolph-Clay. Our goal is to win a state championship.”