Monroe tops Sumter County – to host Summer Classic next week

ALBANY — Monroe rising senior Justin Burns slammed six slam dunks Wednesday and led his team to a 57-44 win over visiting Sumter County at Monroe in Albany as the two played a summer basketball game.

Monroe held a slight 28-22 lead at the half but went on a 12-3 run at the beginning of the second half to lead 40-25 and the Panthers never could recover.

“I was really pleased with my team’s performance today,” said Monroe head coach Michael Hoffpauir. “Justin (Burns) is being a true leader and Lorenzo Still, Melvin Harris, and Carvias Robertson performed well. With all of our injuries this summer, we really have a great opportunity for our guys to step up. Cameron Ousley, Lamond Seadrow, Irvin Ellis, and Nehemiah Tinch stepped up and played well today also. I’m looking forward to the rest of the summer in our efforts to get ready for the upcoming season,” he added.

The Monroe JV led the entire game but a late push by the Panthers almost took the game. Monroe held on by a 30-29 final.

Next week Monroe and Lee County basketball teams will host the Lee Co./Monroe Summer Basketball Classic which will run for three days — June 13, 14, and 15 with games being played at Monroe and in Lee County. The competition will begin at 2 p.m. each day with teams including Monroe, Lee County, Dougherty, Westover, Bainbridge, Sumter County, Mitchell County, Cairo, Fitzgerald, Crisp County, Tift County, Early County, Valdosta, Berrien, SE Bulloch, Thomasville, Miller County, and Mary Persons.

Joe WhitfieldJoeWhitfield[email protected]