ALBANY HERALD FAB 5 BASKETBALL POLL: Season debut

BOYS:

1.) Monroe …………0-0

Led by the Tornado Towers, Super 6ers Rantavious Gilbert and Jabari McGhee, this could be the best Monroe team in years, even better than the 2009-10 team that started the season 20-0. Next game: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday vs. Americus-Sumter.

2.)Albany High ………2-0

Everybody’s back from last year’s Sweet 16 team, and Tyrone Culbreth, who started as a freshman, returns to AHS after playing at Deerfield-Windsor to join Super 6er Tim Pierce. Next game: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 vs. Westover at Albany State.

3.) Bainbridge …………..2-1

Devon Baulkmon is gone, but there’s enough left with players like Rodney Glenn to lead one of the best Class AAAA programs in the state. Next game: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at Colquitt County.

4.) Westover …………2-2

The traditional powerhouse Patriots are off to a slow start, but Super 6er Dequan Green, Brandon Hudson and newcomer T.J. Cromer are expected to lead Westover back to the playoffs and more. Next game: 7:30 p.m. today vs. Thomasville.

5.) Early County ……..4-0

The surprise of the season so far comes from Blakely, where the Bobcats are ripping teams apart and looking like a force in AA this season. Next game: Dec. 10 vs. Baker County.

GIRLS:

1.) Westover………6-0

The Lady Patriots, led by two-time Super 6ers DyTiesha Dunson and Ieshia Young, are familiar with being the No. 1 team in this poll, and begin the season as the top girls team in Southwest Georgia after a 6-0 start. Next game: 6 p.m. today vs. Thomasville.

2.) Dougherty. …..3-0

The defending Region 1-AAA champs are off and rolling and appear to be even better this season with returning starters such as defensive expert Shawntal Byrd, Jayla Hooper and Quannesha Gatlin. Next game: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Cairo.

3.) Monroe ……….2-0

With Super 6er Sheniqua Young, Davone Anduze and Cessily Colwell leading the way, this could be coach Cheryl Cheeks’ best team yet. Next game: 6 p.m. Tuesday vs. Americus-Sumter.

4.) Americus-Sumter ……1-0

Jayme Gilbert is gone, but there’s plenty left, including Kayla Bowens and Diamond Denmark, and the addition of Westover transfer Kahler Fletcher makes the Lady Panthers formidable again. Next game: 6 p.m. today vs Dooly County.

5.) Pelham ………1-1

Reigning Herald Player of the Year D’Ambria Thomas is gone, but two-thirds of Pelham’s three-headed monster are back as Super 6er Tashaunessy Reece and Octavia Kierce return. Next game: 6 p.m. today vs. Stewart County.