Lorenzo Still shines as Monroe downs Long County in Round Ball Classic

LEESBURG — A tenacious fourth-quarter, man-to-man full-court press helped the Monroe Golden Tornadoes pull away from the Long County Blue Tide on Saturday, earning a 74-59 victory in their final game of the Round Ball Classic at Lee County High School.

The game was tied 55-55 in the fourth quarter after Nehemiah Tinch scored to even the score for Monroe. Head Coach Michael Hoffpauir called a timeout to set up the press, and the Tornadoes responded with a dominant 10-2 run to take a 65-57 lead, forcing Long County to call timeout in an effort to regroup.It wasn’t enough. Lamond Seadrow scored to extend Monroe’s lead to 72-57, effectively sealing the game.

The Tornadoes allowed just four points in the fourth quarter after Hoffpauir implemented the full-court press.

The contest was competitive throughout. Monroe led 21-17 at the end of the first quarter, but the Blue Tide surged back, fueled by Ja’Mere Martin’s sharp shooting, to take a 41-39 lead into halftime. Martin scored 15 points in the first half but was held scoreless in the second half after Monroe senior Lorenzo Still shadowed him relentlessly, preventing any open looks.

“We had to turn up the pressure on number 5 (Martin),” said Hoffpauir.  “Still did a great job of shutting him down in the second half. James Adams also came up big defensively with some big blocks and rebounds.”

Monroe won two of three games in the tournament, beating Booker T. Washington in the first game and falling to Langston Hughes in the second.

“This tournament is always good preparation for region play,” Hoffpauir said. “We competed in every game when faced with challenges, and that’s all I can ask for.”

Still also delivered offensively, leading the Golden Tornadoes with 30 points. Adams added 16, Tinch scored 14, and Seadrow contributed 10 points.

Zyi’Air Holt led Long County with 17 points, while Martin finished with 15.

Monroe (4-7) will begin region play Friday night at Dougherty (8-6).