PREP BASKETBALL: 2009 Herald preview — Monroe boys thinking title, girls still building

ALBANY — For now, the Monroe Tornadoes try not to talk about it. But when people look at all the talent assembled off Lippitt Drive this season, it’s hard not to.

Six times in the history of the program, it has advanced to at least the state quarterfinals and twice to the Final 4.

Never, though, has it won a state championship in boys basketball. Never.

There exists a very real possibility that could be about to change.

“You look at our personnel and put it out there we have a state-championship caliber team, we always feel like that,” Monroe coach Marquis Davis said. “From Day 1, the common goal is to win a state title. This year, with the extra pieces we have, we may be able to get that first championship.”

If not a favorite to win the state title, the Tornadoes are certainly on a short list of serious contenders. Monroe lost to state runner-up Westover in the Region 1-AAA title game last season and advanced to the second round of the tournament before losing to Washington County.

Monroe returns four starters on a team that will tower over nearly every opponent it faces.

The primary piece is 6-foot-4 returning All-Area leading scorer Robert Arnold. The younger brother of former FSU star and NBA player Alexander Johnson jumped on board at the midpoint last season and averaged 15 points and seven rebounds. During the summer, he slimmed down 15 pounds to add agility to his game.

Arnold will play the wing position with 6-foot-7 All-Metro selection Brandon Johnson at power forward. Johnson nearly averaged a double-double last season and is a power on the inside. He blocked 11 shots in a region semifinal win against Peach County. Johnson, however, will be out until January after tearing his meniscus over the summer playing for the Georgia Blazers AAU team.

The injury opens up more minutes for developing 6-6 sophomore Runtavious Gilbert, who Davis sees as one of the best players on the team by year end. Add in 6’5 Albany High transfer Carlos Brown, 6’3 shooting guard Brandon Blakely and returning point guard Alexander Hunt and the matchup problems for opponents become obvious.

Davis has been grooming young teams since his first season at Monroe three years ago when the Tornadoes were winless in region play.

“We are trying to do better every year,” Davis said. “(An experienced group) gives me an opportunity to do other things — things you couldn’t do with a bunch of young guys. The most important thing is having those seniors and some underclassmen that can also add depth.”

Davis knows the pieces are in place, as do his players.

“Everybody asks us about it every day,” Hunt said. “There is extra pressure, we feel like we can make it. We are trying to work hard and try not to think about that and focus on getting better.”