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ALBANY – The Monroe Golden Tornadoes swept their cross-town rivals Friday night in a thrilling basketball doubleheader against the Westover Patriots. Monroe’s boys secured a dramatic 40-38 victory in the nightcap after the Lady Tornadoes edged out Westover 48-42 in the opener.

The boys’ game was a nail-biter until the very end. With 48 seconds remaining, Monroe’s Nehemiah Tinch appeared to put the game out of reach by sinking two free throws after a technical foul, giving the Tornadoes a 38-34 lead and possession of the ball.

Monroe’s Nehemiah Tinch goes for two early in Friday night’s game. Tinch hit a layup as the buzzer sounded to give Monroe a 41-39 victory.

However, Westover’s Aden Reese reignited the Patriots’ hopes by stealing the inbounds pass and converting a layup. Westover called a quick timeout, and after the break, Monroe missed a shot, but Tinch was fouled. He made one of two free throws, extending the lead to 39-36 with just 11 seconds left.

The Patriots raced down the court, and Jalen Holmers nailed a clutch three-pointer to tie the game at 39-all with seconds remaining. As Westover celebrated, Tinch broke free, sprinted down the court, and laid in the game-winning basket as the buzzer sounded, securing the victory for Monroe.

Tinch led Monroe with 13 points, while Gregory Williams paced Westover with 20. Despite hitting just 11 of 23 free throws, Monroe improved to 8-7, having won seven of its last eight games. Westover dropped to 8-4.

Westover’s Gregory Williams scored 20 points Friday night to lead the Patriots.

“”Yes, it was an ugly win, but a win nonetheless,” said Monroe Head Coach Michael Hoffpauir. “Sometimes they are ugly but as long as we battle through adversity and win, it gives us confidence and experience.

“We have been shooting free throws well the last few games, tonight we didn’t,” added Hoffpauir. “Nerves might have gotten the best of us. We definitely have to improve in that area.”

The girls’ game was equally intense, with neither team able to sustain a decisive run. Westover’s Sydney Donaldson opened the scoring with a three-pointer from the corner, putting the Patriots up 5-0 early. Monroe responded with a 12-1 run to take a 12-6 lead.

The game remained tight throughout, with Monroe clinging to a 37-32 advantage heading into the fourth quarter, thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Kie’Aundria Acree. Monroe appeared poised to pull away after extending the lead to 41-34, but Westover’s Wykeria Holmes hit a three-pointer and followed it up with a steal and layup, cutting the deficit to 41-38.

Monroe’s Kie’Aundria Acree drives toward the basket against Westover’s Savannah Donaldson during Friday night’s game at Monroe in Albany. Acree scored 26 points to lead her team to the win.

The Lady Patriots couldn’t get any closer, as Acree and Taylor McKinzy sealed the game with clutch free throws down the stretch. Acree finished with a game-high 26 points, while McKinzy added 20. Donaldson led Westover with 19 points, and Holmes chipped in eight.

Monroe’s Lady Tornadoes improved to 10-5, while Westover fell to 6-5.

Monroe hosts Peach County on Tuesday in Albany, while Westover travels to face Dougherty on the Eastside.