Albany Herald

Photo by Daniel Kay

HERALD TOP 5 POLL:

Boys

1.) Monroe.............................................................. 7-0

The Tornadoes are more than a third of the way there to matching last year's 20-0 start and proved they can even win with reserves, doing so Saturday vs. Mt. Zion. Next: vs. Statesboro, today in U-Save-It, 5:30 p.m.

2.) Bainbridge............................................................ 6-2

A few days after getting their biggest win of the year against state-ranked Thomasville, the Bulldogs handed the Bearcats just their second loss last Tuesday. Next: vs. Niceville, Fla., today, 8:30 p.m.

3.) Westover................................................................................. 6-3

The Patriots played their best game of the year Saturday against state-ranked Lanier in a 59-46 win, rebounding from a stunning loss to Albany. Next: vs. North Clayton in U-Save-It, today, 5 p.m.

4.) Dougherty ................................................................................ 4-1

The Trojans have beaten up on everyone but Westover with a fast-paced, everybody-in-the-act offense, including wins vs. SE Bulloch and Webster. Next: vs. Quitman in the U-Save-It, today, 11:30 a.m.

5.) Terrell County......................................................................... 5-1

The Greenwave only played one game after their loss to Monroe 10 days ago, routing Class AAA Americus-Sumter on its home floor. Next: vs. Central Gwinnett, Dec. 28, 7:30 p.m.

Girls

1.) Westover....................................................... .....9-0

The Lady Patriots, the area's lone unbeaten girls team, had the week off to rest and prepare for a Jan. 4 Region 1-AAA showdown at Cairo. Next: at Cairo, Jan. 4, 6 p.m.

2.) Bainbridge..............................................................6-3 The Lady Bearcats bounced back from an 0-3 start and have won five of their last six, including a huge payback win against state-ranked Thomasville. Next: vs. Lowndes, Dec. 28, 11:30 a.m.

3.) Americus-Sumter................................................6-1

After getting stunned by Cairo, the Lady Panthers routed Terrell County - their only game last week -- as they prepare for a little rest over the holidays. Next: vs. Macon County, Jan. 4, 6 p.m.

4.) Dougherty...........................................................4-2

The Lady Trojans, who were dropped last week in favor of Pelham, beat the same Cairo team that handed PHS its first loss, so they're back in. Next: vs. Mount Zion, today, 10:30 a.m.

5.) Pelham................................................................9-1

The Lady Hornets lost their first game last week, falling to Cairo, but then rebounded to beat a scrappy Early County team Saturday. Next: vs. Echols County, today, 4 p.m.

Teams eligible for poll: Albany, Monroe, Dougherty, Westover, Sherwood Christian Academy, Deerfield-Windsor, Terrell County, Terrell Academy, Pelham, Westwood, Mitchell County, Miller County, Bainbridge, Seminole County, Early County, Randolph-Clay, Randolph Southern, Southwest Georgia Academy, Southland, Americus-Sumter, Lee County, Worth County, Calhoun County.

** Poll voted on by Herald sports staff; new poll released every Tuesday

------------------------------------------------

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

''We were excited, but we showed class and held it in (out of respect for the other team). But when we got back to the locker room, we went crazy.''

--- Jenni Smith,

Westwood girls basketball coach after her Class A, unranked Lady Wildcats beat Class AA, No. 2-ranked Brookwood, 47-45, in the finals of the Westwood Christmas Tournament on Saturday

------------------------------------------------------

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

DaQuenna Moore, Junior, Forward, Lee County

On Friday, Moore scored 21 points in a 53-34 win vs. Seminole County, then turned around Saturday and had 26 points and 18 rebounds in the Wesley Burkes Christmas Tournament's title game in a 73-38 rout against Calhoun County, and was named the tournament MVP.

------------------------------------

BY THE NUMBERS:

3:

Consecutive wins for the one-time 0-3 Albany High boys team, which started its run with an OT win vs. Westover, then beat previous unbeaten Mitchell County before routing Manchester in the U-Save-It Classic.

18:

The number of consecutive points scored in the first quarter by the Dougherty boys against SE Bulloch in their U-Save-It Classic opener as the Trojans jumped out to an 18-0 lead and went on to win -- get this -- 67-18.

-----------------------------------------

AREA HOLIDAY HOOPS SCHEDULE:

Today

10:30 a.m.

Dougherty girls vs. Mount Zion at Westside, Macon Great Southern Shootout

Noon

Monroe girls vs. Northeast, Macon at Westside, Macon Great Southern Shootout

3:30 p.m.

Stratford Academy at Southland Academy girls

4 p.m.

Randolph-Clay girls at Dodge County at Thomasville Holiday Hoopfest

4:30 p.m.

Stratford Academy at Southland Academy

5:30 p.m.

Randolph-Clay boys vs. Lee County at Thomasville Holiday Hoopfest

7 p.m.

Lee County girls vs. Thomasville at Thomasville Holiday Hoopfest

Wednesday

3 p.m.

Robert Toombs Christian Academy vs. Southwest Georgia Academy at Philips Arena in Atlanta

4 p.m.

Randolph-Clay girls vs. Lee County at Thomasville Holiday Hoopfest

5:30 p.m.

Randolph-Clay boys vs. Cook at Thomasville Holiday Hoopfest

8:30 p.m.

Lee County boys vs. Thomasville at Thomasville Holiday Hoopfest

Thursday

4 p.m.

Lee girls vs. Dodge County Thomasville Holiday Hoopfest

5:30 p.m.

Lee County boys vs. Cook at Thomasville Holiday Hoopfest

7 p.m.

Randolph-Clay girls vs. Lee County at Thomasville Holiday Hoopfest

8:30 p.m.

Randolph-Clay boys vs. Thomasville at Thomasville Holiday Hoopfest