Monroe closes summer with sweep of Lee

LEESBURG — For about six minutes Friday afternoon, Lee County looked every bit like the fast, physical basketball team head coach Kirven Davis hopes it will become.

The rest of the afternoon reminded him just how much growing remains.

Monroe erased an early deficit with a barrage of 3-pointers and relentless transition defense, then pulled away in the second half for a 57-41 victory over the Trojans in the final summer basketball play date before the GHSA’s annual Dead Week.

For Davis, the result mattered less than the lesson.

“We are inexperienced right now and we’re a tale of two teams,” Davis said. “One is passionate and confident and the other lacks a leader and game experience. We’ve made some strides this summer but have a ways to go. Nevertheless, I am proud of them.”

That inexperience wasn’t evident early.

Rising seniors Josiah Franklin and Tremayne Johnson established themselves inside as Lee County raced to an 8-3 advantage. The Trojans defended well, controlled the paint and forced Monroe to search for answers from the perimeter.

The Golden Tornadoes eventually found them.

Elijah Rivers buried a 3-pointer to cap an 8-0 run and give Monroe its first lead at 11-8. Lee County answered when Trey Bush knocked down a 3-pointer, but Monroe had found its offensive rhythm.

Tristen Terry answered with a three of his own before Rivers connected again from long range. Freshman King Leverette added another late 3-pointer as Monroe closed the half on another surge to build a 28-20 advantage.

The game turned for good in the opening minutes of the second half.

Leverette was fouled behind the arc and calmly converted all three free throws before Robert Adams scored inside and completed a three-point play, stretching Monroe’s lead to 34-20.

Lee County never recovered.

Monroe’s defense forced three consecutive turnovers, each leading to uncontested layups as the Golden Tornadoes quickly expanded the margin to 50-33 and removed any suspense.

While Monroe celebrated another strong summer performance, Davis left encouraged by the progress of a young team still searching for consistency.

Replacing four starters from last season has created growing pains, but it has also accelerated the development of players who will be counted on this winter.

Friday’s loss reinforced the challenge ahead. Lee County showed flashes of the aggressive, confident team Davis wants to see. It also showed the mistakes that accompany an inexperienced roster learning to play together.

The junior varsity game followed a similar script.

Monroe carried a 20-13 halftime lead before Lee County rallied behind early second-half 3-pointers from Chayse Randall and Kameron Franklin to pull within 23-19. The Golden Tornadoes answered the challenge, however, and closed out a 39-29 victory.

With summer competition complete, both programs now enter the GHSA’s mandatory Dead Week before players return to offseason workouts later this summer. Official basketball practice begins in October in preparation for the 2026-27 season.