Last second shot gives Monroe 48-46 win over Lee County

LEESBURG — The No. 6- ranked Monroe Golden Tornadoes escaped with a 48-46 win over the Lee County Trojans in boys basketball Saturday night at Lee County High School.

Monroe senior Andrico Jackson took a shot with two seconds remaining, missed, grabbed the rebound and then scored just before the buzzer sounded.

The game was close all night with neither team able to get more than a six-point lead throughout. Both teams play a quick tempo with tight man-to-man defense. Monroe (3-2) led 39-38 heading into the final quarter but it looked as though the Trojans might have gotten a break when the Tornadoes were whistled for a technical foul with just under four and a half minutes to play. Lee County’s Braylon Chaney promptly drained both free throws to give the Trojans a 42-41 lead and the Trojans got possession of the ball. The Trojans couldn’t score to stretch the lead but maintained that one-point lead until 19.9 seconds remained. That is when Monroe’s Jaquan Maddox stepped to the free-throw line for two shots.

He missed the first shot but tied the game 46-46 with the second shot. Lee County still had a chance because they had possession, but Maddox intercepted a Lee County pass and the Tornadoes called time out to set up a final chance to score. Head coach Michael Hoffpauir set up the play and put the ball in the hands of his senior guard, Andrico Jackson. Jackson’s first attempt bounced off the rim, but Jackson grabbed the rebound and laid the ball in for two points as the buzzer sounded and gave the Tornadoes the win.

Jackson led the Tornadoes with 19 points and Justin Burns followed with nine.

Christian Brown was the leading scorer for the Trojans with 10 points while both DJ Taylor and Josiah Parker added nine.

The Tornadoes will play at Westover Friday night and the Trojans will travel to Pelham Tuesday night for their next game.

Special Photo: Joe WhitfieldJoeWhitfield[email protected]