Albany Monroe downs Dawson Terrell County in the battle of Green and Gold

DAWSON — The battle of the Green and Gold — round two — was much more competitive Saturday night but Monroe prevailed over Terrell County in both boy’s and girl’s contests for the second time this season.

Ranked No. 7 in Class AAA, Monroe’s boys (11-2) won 73-55 while the Lady Nadas took a 52-46 win over Class A, Division Two’s No.4-ranked Lady Greenwave.

The boy’s game was tied 15-15 at the end of the first quarter but the Tornadoes held the Greenwave scoreless in the second quarter and took a 35-15 lead into the break.

The Greenwave (6-7) opened the second half with a 10-4 run and got as close as 12 points in the fourth quarter but Monroe’s speed and depth kept the Tornadoes in front for the rest of the game.

Justin Burns scored 18 points to lead a balanced attack for the Tornadoes. Zacorey Peterson scored 12, Juquan Maddox put in 10, Irvin Ellis sank nine and Lorezon Still added eight.

Shaheed Huckaby led the Greenwave with 15 points, Cordarius Perry knocked down 12 while Keavonte Anderson and Zayveon Lee added nine each.

When Terrell County’s girls played at Monroe (8-6) earlier in the season, Monroe blasted the Lady Greenwave 63-33 but Saturday night, Monroe had a much tougher battle.

The Lady Greenwave (8-4) started hot and led 13-4 before Monroe’s Kie’Auindrria (KJ) Acree scored three consecutive baskets to put the score at 13-10 heading into the second quarter.

Terrell County was not intimidated, however, and continued to battle. Jentaiya Rushing gave the Lady Greenwave a 23-20 halftime lead with a steal and layup just before the buzzer.

Acree turned up the intensity in the second half and helped her team take the lead. Acree scored 10 points in the third quarter and Ciarra Lunsford scored six as Monroe moved ahead 38-32 heading into the final quarter. Terrell County did not quit, however.

Monroe built a nine-point lead early in the fourth before Terrell County battled back again. The Lady Greenwave’s Jamariana Smith drained a long three to put Terrell County within two, 43-41 midway through the fourth but that was a close as it would get. Monroe outscored the Greenwave 9-2 the rest of the way.

Acree put in 33 points for the Lady Nadas, pulled down 10 rebounds, and took three steals. Lunsford finished with 15 points, three rebounds and three steals.

Rushing led the Greenwave with 16 points and Tadreuna Rogers added 10.

Monroe will host Crisp County on Tuesday and then host rival Dougherty on Friday. Terrell County will host Calhoun County on Tuesday, then play at Quitman County Friday and at Randolph-Clay on Saturday.

Joe WhitfieldJoeWhitfield[email protected]