Monroe survives swings, claims rivalry sweep over Dougherty

ALBANY – Rivalry games rarely ask for perfection. What they demand instead is poise — the ability to bend, wobble and still stand when the noise rises and momentum tilts. Friday night at Monroe High School, that distinction belonged to the home side.

Before a packed Albany crowd that treated the calendar’s first Friday like a civic holiday, the Monroe Golden Tornadoes and Lady Nadas swept archrival Dougherty Trojans, taking a 62-42 win in the girls’ game and a 60-51 victory in the boys’ nightcap. Neither came easily, and that was the point.

The girls’ opener looked settled early. The No. 3-ranked Lady Nadas played fast and free in the first half, racing to a 42-14 lead behind crisp ball movement and confident shooting. Then the baskets disappeared.

Monroe went cold after halftime — particularly from the perimeter — and Dougherty took advantage. Led by fearless point guard Dariona Simmons, the Lady Trojans outscored Monroe 19-8 in the third quarter, trimming a once-comfortable margin and injecting doubt into a building that had grown loud early. Simmons scored six in the period, while Teaylia Hawkins added seven, and Reginae Hill swished a three from the corner to give Dougherty some excitement.

The fourth quarter settled into a grind, which suited Monroe just fine.

“We didn’t play well in the second half, not at all,” Monroe coach Jennifer Acree said. “I changed the lineup, trying to get more playing time and different matchups. I’m hoping we’ll have Glendalys back soon so we’ll have more depth, because we need to step up our game.”

Junior post Glendalys Harvey has missed the past two weeks with an injury. Even without her, Monroe leaned on star power. Kie’Aundria Acree scored 27 points to lead the Lady Nadas, Taylor McKinzy added 15 and Maleyah Hines finished with eight as Monroe improved to 11-1. Simmons paced Dougherty with 11 points, while Hawkins and Alyssa Christian scored nine apiece.

If the girls’ game was about holding on, the boys’ contest was about finding footing before the floor gave way.

Dougherty dictated the opening minutes with physical defense, double- and triple-teaming Brayden Burns in the paint and turning loose balls into fast-break points. When David Burgess scored on consecutive possessions — a layup followed by a three — the Trojans led 12-4 and forced Monroe coach Michael Hoffpauir into an early timeout.

Monroe’s response came on the defensive end.

Full-court pressure flipped the game’s temperature, producing turnovers and transition chances. The Tornadoes tied the game at 12-12, but Dougherty answered again. Mikel Roberts drilled a three near the end of the quarter to give the Trojans an 18-14 lead after one, then hit another early in the second quarter to stretch the margin to 23-15.

The turning point came moments later.

On a fast break, Elijah Rivers found Burns streaking toward the rim. Burns rose, finished with authority, and the gym responded the way rivalry gyms do — loudly, instantly, and without apology. Monroe followed with a 14-0 run, including a three from Tristen Terry, and carried a 29-23 lead into halftime.

Once Monroe established control defensively, the margin grew the way rivalry games often do — slowly, stubbornly and just out of reach. Dougherty closed to within seven behind another Roberts three and a Will Dublina drive, but could get no closer.

“We had a few defensive series where we played solid defense and were able to convert in transition,” Hoffpauir said. “We didn’t play together early and it ruined our efficiency, but those defensive stops pushed us over the top.”

Burns led Monroe with 15 points, Terry added 14, Robert Adams scored nine and Hiram Holloway chipped in seven. Roberts paced Dougherty with 18 points, while Dublina and Armeen Walker scored eight apiece. Burgess finished with seven.

Monroe (11-2) will host Cairo on Tuesday, while Dougherty (5-7) travels to Peach County. Friday night, though, belonged to Albany’s oldest rivalry — not because it was flawless, but because Monroe proved, once again, that control matters most when everything else feels loud.