Monroe boys hoops edge out win against Albany, 57-55; Calhoun boys improve to 2-0

ALBANY — Monroe’s boys got their season-opening win, but Albany made them earn it.

The Tornadoes held off a furious fourth-quarter rally by Albany High, capped by a block of Barry Diamond’s shot as the horn sounded as Monroe pulled out a 57-55 win in the season opener for Monroe, and second game for Albany, on Friday night.

Monroe had led by as many as 13 points in the second half and held a 53-44 advantage with 4:30 remaining in the game. But, Albany (1-1), sparked by free throws from Larry Sanford and two steals and scores by Tyrone Cuthbert, tied the game at 55-55 with a minute to go.

Monroe (1-0) held for the last shot and Robert Arnold was fouled sending him to the free throw line with 6.1 ticks left. He hit both free throws for the final 57-55 margin.

Ronald Madden led the Tornadoes with 18 points and Jabori McGhee added 10. Albany got 14 points from Sanford and 11 from Tim Pierce. Monroe star Brandon Johnson did not dress for the game because of a knee injury.

“I think we had the first game jitters,” Monroe coach Marquis Davis said. “We are really going to have to spend time working on our guard play. Bottom line is we got our first win of the season.”

Albany held a 23-21 lead at the half before Monroe pushed past the Indians in the third period to take a 44-37 lead into the final quarter. The Tornadoes’ largest lead of the night was 39-26 with 2:32 to go in the period

Despite the loss, Albany coach Archie Chatmon was upbeat.

“I think we learned a lot about ourselves (Friday night),” Chatmon said. “It was an excellent show of character from a young team — especially after that third quarter. Coming back like that showed me we won’t quit and that we have a beautiful spirit.”

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ALBANY GIRLS 53, MONROE 47:

In the girls game, Jasmine Myers scored 19 points and Chasity Mullins chipped in with 11 as the Squaws upended the Lady Tornadoes, 53-47.

Monroe, led by 17 points from Ashley Johnson and 11 from Jessica Burks, held a 42-36 lead with six minutes to go before the Squaws went on a 12-2 to put the game out of reach 48-44 with 1:10 remaining.

“We forced them into a few mistakes in the fourth quarter that allowed us to catch up,” Albany coach Telly Turner said. “We had a lot of you girls get quality playing time (Friday night) and that will help us later.”

Albany will visit Westover on Tuesday, while Monroe will travel to Colquitt next Saturday.