Albany Monroe eliminates Calvary Day of Savannah, 61-41; Sandy Creek is next

ALBANY – The Monroe Golden Tornadoes advanced to the Elite Eight of the GHSA Class AAA playoffs Saturday night with a 61-41 win over Calvary Day School of Savannah. The Tornadoes won by 20 points but didn’t put the Cavaliers away until late in the fourth quarter.

Monroe seniors Jaquan Maddox and Justin Burns didn’t play in the first quarter, then Burns gave Monroe fans a scare in the second quarter when he lay on the court in pain after falling and injuring his ankle. Calvary led 21-17 at the half.

Fortunately for Monroe, Burns returned and the Tornadoes turned up the heat on defense and created numerous turnovers which led to fast break points. Late in the third, Nehemiah Tinch swished a long three then Burns followed with a steal and two points. He made it a three-point play with the free throw that followed and Monroe had built a 39-29 lead very late in the third.

The Cavaliers closed the gap to seven early in the fourth before the intense defense started to wear the visitors down and Monroe again got numerous fast break plays to pull away late.

Guards Lorenzo Still and James Adams shined on the full-court pressure that caused the Cavaliers to throw the ball away several times.

Still led the scoring for the Tornadoes with 17 points, Burns finished with 16- all in the second half. Tinch added 10.

The Tornadoes will now travel to the Atlanta area to take on the No. 1-ranked Sandy Creek Patriots (23-3) who blasted Lumpkin County 92-22 Friday night in the Sweet 16. The Monroe-Sandy Creek game is planned for February 27 – Tuesday night – but the time has not been announced.

By Joe Whitfield
Sports EditorJoeWhitfield[email protected]