Albany Monroe freshmen lead blowout of Dougherty girls – 74-44

ALBANY — Monroe’s freshmen girls put it all together Friday night and blew out crosstown rival Dougherty 74-44 in front of a sold-out gymnasium at Monroe High School.

It was expected to be a tight battle—Monroe’s preseason All-State guard Kie’Aundria Acree vs. Dougherty’s preseason All-State guard Jatiana Chambers. Neither team is currently ranked in the state’s top ten but both have been there earlier this season. The rivalry games between the two teams are usually close and come down to the final seconds.

Not Friday night.

Led by early baskets from junior guard Joc Thomas and senior Ciarra Lunsford, Monroe grabbed an early 13-3 lead in the first quarter, and then the freshmen took over. In the first quarter, freshmen Acree and Taylor McKinzy combined for two points. By the game’s end, the two freshmen combined for 54 points and 13 assists.

“Joc Thomas’ baskets early in the game were really huge,” said Monroe head coach Jennifer Acree. “Our younger girls were really nervous early because this was a big game. But I am so happy they were able to put together a good game and stand out in a game like this.”

The younger Acree drained a three from the corner early in the second quarter to give the Lady Tornadoes an 18-5 advantage and Dougherty’s Lady Trojans were having trouble hitting the outside shots forced by Monroe’s zone defense. That changed moments later, however. Junior guard Za’miya Mitchell drained a three and Chambers followed with another three to get Dougherty into the game and close the gap to just six points — 20-14.

But then Monroe went on another run. When McKinzy swished a long three toward the end of the first half, Monroe was out front 34-17. Chambers added a couple of late free throws to put the halftime score at 34-19.

The Lady Tornadoes turned up the defensive pressure in the third quarter with a trapping defense at center court and with Chambers on the bench for a rest, Monroe quickly grew their lead to 47-27 and the game was decided.

Acree put in 29 points, handed out eight assists, grabbed eight rebounds, and stole the ball five times. McKinzy scored 25 points and doled five assists.

Chambers scored 17 points to lead the Lady Trojans. Teaylia Hawkins scored nine and Amiyah Jackson added seven.

The win improves Monroe’s record to 10-6 on the season and 3-0 in the region. Dougherty fell to 9-7 and 1-1. Monroe has an MLK date with Early County Monday at 4 p.m. and the Lady Trojans will begin the MLK Day games at Monroe with a game against Lee County at 1 p.m.

By Joe WhitfieldJoeWhitfield[email protected]