Canes Continue Winning Ways
The Monticello Hurricanes varsity boy’s squad is 6-2 in region play following a 60-48 win over Northeast Tuesday evening.
The latest victory places the squad on a four game consecutive winning streak including wins at region foe Putnam last Friday, 59-54, and at Jackson Saturday, 87-72.
“The team is playing with more confidence,” said varsity boy’s head coach William Thomas. “We’ve won some games that were close late (in the game) which is good because that takes mental toughness and poise and I think we’re showing that.”
He continued, “Some games we’ve played great, some we haven’t. But you have to be able to win when you’re not playing well at times. That’s what great teams do and we are striving for greatness.”
As the season draws near and region competition increases, the varsity squad hopes to make a return visit to the state playoffs where they were knocked out in the first round last season by Harlem.
C.J. Adams posted 18 points Tuesday and went 2-for-2 in free throws while pulling down 12 rebounds, three steals and two blocks. De’Miria Glover and Jordan Stone each added 12 points. Glover led in rebounds with 12 and added three blocks but suffered at the free throw line. Stone also had five rebounds. Desmond Nash had 10 points, five assists, and four blocks.
Saturday’s win at Jackson saw R.J. Whitlock scoring a personal best 21 points in his first season as a varsity Cane. He also garnered six rebounds, three assists, six steals, and four blocks. Stone added 15 points, 12 assists, and was flawless in free throws. Ashton Bonner had 13 points, three assists, and two steals. Glover added 11 points and 11 rebounds. Adams had 7 points, Tyrin Lawrence and Malik Crawford each had 5 points and four rebounds.
Stone led the scoring against Putnam with 13 and was followed by Glover and Adams who each added 12 points. T. Lawrence contributed 8; Nash added 4; Bonner and Matthew Lawson each had 3; Whitlock and De’Ivion Lawrence, 2 each.
The Canes took down the War Eagles in the rebounds by earning 40 total to their 19 total. Glover led rebounds with 10, all defensive, while T. Lawrence had eight. Whitlock added six; Crawford, 5; Nash, 4; and Stone 3.
The Lady Canes split action over the past week by defeating Northeast and Jackson, 58-52, but falling to Putnam 64-35.
The varsity squads are preparing for a three-game region streak beginning this Saturday, Jan. 23 hosting Lamar with the junior varsity boys starting action at 4 p.m. On Tuesday, Jan. 26 the teams will travel to Crawford with the jv boys starting at 4:30 p.m. and the Lady Canes tipping off at 6 p.m. The varsity squads will travel to Macon County Saturday, Jan. 30.