Three ‘Canes Are All-Region

For their first round state match-up the Hurricane boys were to head to Harlem High School, in the Augusta metro area, Wednesday evening for a 7 p.m. matchup.A win at Harlem would set up a match-up for the Canes against the winner of Region 6AA Lovett #4/Region 5AA Manchester #1 for Saturday, Feb. 21.

The squad fell to Lamar County Friday before triumphing over Northeast Saturday in the final rounds of the region tournament held in Crawford County.

“Lamar County shot the ball extremely well. They jumped out to a lead in the first quarter that we were unable to overcome,“ said head Coach B.J. Thomas.

Jakari Middlebrooks was the top scorer Friday in the 71-59 loss to Lamar. Middlebrooks had 15 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 blocks, and 1 assist to his statistics.

Though the squad only had one player in double digits, there were four with 9 points including Avery Davis, Jordan Stone, C.J. Adams, and Quinton Standifer. Ashton Bonner and Desmond Nash had 4 points each.

Adams had 3 rebounds and 2 steals; Bonner had 3 assists and 1 steal; Stone and Davis had 2 steals each.

The squad rebounded in the 78-67 win over Northeast which earned them the third place seed headed into the first round of state this week.

“This was probably the best game we played all season. We played good defense, shot the ball decently and made free throws when needed.”

Standifer led the scoring with 22 points; Stone added 18 points; Middlebrooks, 16: Bonner, 7; Adams, 6; Davis, 4; and Nash, 3.

Middlebrooks again led in rebounds with 13 while adding 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block; Adams had 12 rebounds and 3 assists; Standifer had 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals; Stone had 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals; Davis had 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block; and Bonner had 4 rebounds and 1 assist.

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The Hurricane squad has three players named for All-Region honors. senior Jakari Middlebrooks was named to the All Region First Team as well as Defensive Player of the Year. Sophomore De’Miria Glover was named to the All Region First Team as well and senior Quinton Standifer was named to the All Region Second team.

Each of the young men was excited about their Hurricane squad making it to the state playoffs this season.

“It feels good to achieve something that hasn’t been done in awhile,” said Mr. Standifer. His reference was to a Canes boys’ squad not reaching the state level for more than 10 years now.

“We hope to put Monticello basketball back on the map.”

Glover, injured now and recuperating from a fractured wrist, hopes it will be a great experience from which he can draw in the future.

“It feels good to part of something that hasn’t been done in 15 years,” said Middlebrooks. “Start a revolution.”