Lady Hurricanes Extend Streak
By ZACH HOUSTON
To quote the hit 1988 classic “Bull Durham,” “Ok, we won a game yesterday. If we win today, it’s called ‘two in a row.’ And if we win again tomorrow, it’s called a winning streak.” Well fans, your Monticello Lady Hurricanes have now captured their second four-game winning streak of the season, taking a sweep of the weekend with road victories over region opponent Towers, 65-36, and a non-region affair with Salem, 59-37.
The wins move the Lady Hurricane record to 10-8 overall, and 2-1 in region 4-A play.
They came into the Towers game short on practice time due to school cancellations from the second winter storm to hit the area this month, but they were able to weather the winter weather and quickly knock off whatever rust may have formed with a resounding 29-point victory.
The Lady Canes were led by freshman Jazmin Maddox, who dropped 33 points; followed by fellow freshman Kamryn Davis and her 14 points on the evening. Freshman Desi Appling added seven points; followed by sophomore Malayha Thurman with five; and sophomore Toni Gantt and junior Selena Harvey with four each.
The following afternoon against Salem, the Lady Canes were able to continue the momentum, coming out of the gate with a 20-5 first quarter lead, and expanding the lead to 36-15 at the half. Maddox again led the way scoring 15 of her game high 20 points in the first quarter to set the tone, Kam Davis finished the day with 12 points, and senior Kinya Thomas added 10. Over the course of the game, nine different ladies were able to contribute to the scoring affair, with Thurman adding six, senior Stevi Davis adding four, and junior Gabi Stacey, Gantt, Appling, and Harvey scoring two each.
The Hurricane boys team did not fare quite as well, taking a loss to Towers on Friday, 66-52. This was the first region loss for the Hurricanes. The team bounced back quickly though, traveling to Salem and taking a close victory, edging out their Seminole counterparts 52-50.
Junior Jamarkus Thomas led the team in scoring both nights, putting up a game high 22 against Towers, and following that up with 14 against Salem. Sophomore Dereon Pennamon was the second leading contributor on both games, putting up nine against Towers, and following that up with 12 points at Salem. Sophomore Chance Ross and senior Malik Epps both put up a nine spot in the Salem game, and both came through big down the stretch with key free throws, Epps putting in the last two for the final margin of victory with just three seconds remaining in the game. The boys record now stands at 9-10 overall, with a 3-1 record in region play.
Both teams are in for a week of basketball action brought to you by postponements from snow and ice. In what could truly be considered two weeks of basketball in one, the Hurricanes were to take on Social Circle Tuesday with Wednesday featuring a make-up game in Lamar County (both to be covered in next week’s Monticello News). On Friday both teams will be in Eatonton, taking on the rival War Eagles of Putnam County, before finishing out the week on Saturday at home against perennial power Greenforest. This will be a turning point week in the region standings as there is a log-jam at the top with many teams that are still in contention for a regular season region crown, and top seeding before the region tournament. Come out and support the Hurricane squads as they look to continue their winning ways!