Terry’s shooting sparks 54-27 victory over Valdosta

ALBANY — Monroe coach Michael Hoffpauir knows replacing a player like Brayden Burns won’t happen overnight.

The Golden Tornadoes are still searching for the right combinations, still learning how the pieces fit together and still building chemistry following the graduation of the team’s leading scorer and the Albany Herald Player of the Year.

If Wednesday’s performance was any indication, Monroe is making progress.

Led by a blistering start from Tristen Terry and a dominant inside presence from Robert Adams, the Golden Tornadoes rolled past Valdosta 54-27 in summer basketball action at Monroe High School.

“We are really working to improve our chemistry,” Hoffpauir said. “We lost a big piece of our team with BB graduating. We’ve got a lot of players who can dribble and can run and score. We’ve just got to learn to play together.”

Monroe wasted little time taking control.

Terry opened the game with a deep 3-pointer and the Golden Tornadoes quickly built a 9-0 lead before the Wildcats could settle in. Elijah Rivers then connected from beyond the arc to stretch the advantage to 12-2 before leaving the game with an injury.

The offensive showcase was just getting started.

Terry continued to find the range, knocking down three consecutive 3-pointers as Monroe’s lead ballooned. His long-range barrage pushed the score to 15-4, then 18-6 and finally 21-6 as the Golden Tornadoes overwhelmed Valdosta with their pace and shooting.

While Terry lit up the scoreboard from the perimeter, Adams controlled the paint. The rising senior repeatedly created second-chance opportunities and provided a physical presence inside that the Wildcats struggled to match.

By halftime, Monroe had built a commanding 30-11 advantage.

With the outcome largely decided, Hoffpauir was able to rotate players and give key contributors valuable rest. Terry and Adams spent extended stretches on the bench during the second half as Monroe continued to extend the lead and cruise to the 27-point victory.

Hoffpauir said players like Terry and Adams have emerged as important leaders as the team works through the summer.

“Tristen Terry and Robert Adams have been doing a fantastic job,” Hoffpauir said.

The coach is also hopeful the Golden Tornadoes will become even stronger once several injured players return to full strength.

“Both Elijah Rivers and Isaiah Rivers are dealing with injuries,” Hoffpauir said. “But I think if we can learn to work together, we will be OK.”

That process remains the primary focus during June.

The scoreboard reflected a comfortable victory Wednesday afternoon, but for Hoffpauir, the most encouraging development may have been seeing a talented group continue to grow together.

Monroe has no shortage of athletes capable of scoring points. The challenge now is turning that collection of talent into a cohesive unit capable of making another postseason run.

If the Golden Tornadoes continue shooting the ball the way they did against Valdosta, that chemistry may arrive sooner rather than later.