Albany Monroe beats Columbus-Carver – one win from hosting region tournament
By Joe Whitfield
Sports Editor
ALBANY – A tough Columbus High School (16-8) team is all that stands in the way of the Monroe Golden Tornadoes (18-5) claiming the regular season region championship which would entitle Monroe to host the region tournament in Albany. The Golden Tornadoes moved one step closer to that goal with a 67-53 win over Carver of Columbus Tuesday night at Monroe High School in Albany.
Monroe holds a 7-2 region record heading into the final game of the regular season Friday night in Columbus. Monroe survived a scare against Columbus earlier in the season, winning 60-56 here in Albany. Dougherty is in second place but Monroe holds just a one-point advantage over the Trojans so if Monroe stumbles Friday in Columbus and the Trojans beat Carver Friday night, the Trojans could host the region championship tournament.
The Golden Tornadoes sprinted to a 22-11 lead at the end of the first quarter Tuesday night, then held off a frantic rally from Carver in the fourth quarter to hold on. Monroe’s James Adams hit a turnaround jumper with a second left on the clock in the first quarter to give Monroe that 22-11 lead early. Carver got as close as seven points in the fourth quarter with some hot three-point shooting and a full-court press that caused some Monroe turnovers but the Tiger rally ran out of gas when Monroe hit crucial free throws and Carver couldn’t find a way to keep the ball away from Monroe’s Justin Burns.
Burns was called for a technical foul at the end of the game after held onto the rim too long after a windmill slam dunk with just five seconds remaining. Burns scored 25 points to lead the Golden Tornadoes while Jaquan Maddox put in 12.
Monroe’s Lady Nadas (16-8) didn’t fare as well against the No. 4-ranked Lady Tigers of Carver. Monroe lost 69-44.
Carver’s offense used speed, strong shooting, and sharp passing to put points on the board while their intense, physical full-court press caused headaches for Monroe.
The Lady Tigers led 38-18 at the half but Monroe put together a 10-2 run to begin the second half and looked as though they might get back into the game. However, Carver’s trapping defense was just too much and an exhausted Monroe group just couldn’t match their speed.
Kie’Aundria Acree led the Lady Nadas with 18 points, Ciarra Lunsford scored 12 and Taylor Mckinzy added eight.
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