Lee County and Monroe Shine with Dominant Wins in Albany Classic

The Dougherty Tip-Off Classic in Albany, Georgia, launched the high school basketball season on November 3, 2023, showcasing impressive performances from the Lee County and Monroe girls basketball teams. While the boys’ games delivered suspense, the girls’ matchups were decided quickly, with both teams securing commanding victories.

In the opening game, the Lee County Lady Trojans overwhelmed the host Dougherty Lady Trojans with a decisive score of 59–25. Lee County’s defense was particularly formidable, converting turnovers into fast breaks and establishing a substantial lead of 30–8 by halftime. Leading the charge for Lee County was Jada Ridley, who scored 17 points, supported by Camya Hutcherson with 16 points and Taliyah Porter contributing 10 points.

Dougherty’s head coach Ervin Josey, in his debut, acknowledged the challenges faced by his young team. “We definitely wanted a better result, but my big takeaway from the game is that we showed flashes of what we’re capable of,” he stated. Despite the loss, he emphasized the importance of effort and discipline as areas for improvement.

The second game of the night saw the Monroe Lady Tornadoes dominate their crosstown rival, Westover High School, with a staggering score of 67–24. Sophomore standout Kie’Aundria Acree, a prominent player in Georgia’s basketball scene, showcased her skills with an impressive 29 points, alongside 12 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

The matchup was competitive for the initial moments, but Monroe quickly took control. With Westover’s Sydney Donaldson sidelined during the second quarter, Monroe extended their lead to 29–8 by halftime, and further widened the gap to 49–16 after the third quarter. Alongside Acree, Taylor McKinzy contributed 16 points and nine rebounds, while Glendalys Harvey added 10 points and five rebounds.

Head coach Jennifer Acree expressed her thoughts on the team’s performance, noting a sluggish start. “I wasn’t happy with our first half of play as a team. We didn’t lock in and we played too slow. After lighting a fire under them at the half, we came out and put together a much better effort,” she said.

As the season progresses, the Lady Tornadoes are set to travel to Valdosta next Friday, while Westover will face Lowndes on Tuesday. Both teams will look to build on their experiences from this opening night and improve their performance in upcoming games.