Cane Basketball, How Sweep It Is!
The Monticello Hurricane basketball teams finished out the Christmas break on a high note, sweeping the Hwy. 16 Red Devils when they visited last Saturday to finish the season series with a 4-0 record.
The girls took a big victory, coming out from the half holding a nine-point lead, and responding with a 21-point barrage in the third quarter to put the Lady Devils away, eventually winning by a final score of 54-29.
The Lady Canes showed a balanced scoring attack, with Jazmin Maddox leading the way with a game high 15 points. She was followed by Selena Harvey’s 13 points, and Kamryn Davis’ 10.
Harvey led the way during the Lady Canes big third quarter, scoring eight of her 13 points during the quarter. Stevi Davis and Malayha Thurman both finished with six points on a pair of three-point shots, and Kinya Thomas rounded out the scoring with four.
The boys game was more of a back and forth affair, as the teams swapped leads multiple times throughout the contest. Jamarkus Thomas took over for the Hurricanes in the third quarter scoring all 16 points for the Hurricanes, and following that up with another seven points in the fourth to account for 23 of his 30 total points in the second half alone in leading the Hurricanes to their fourth victory of the year.
Thomas was followed in the scoring department by Tayshawn Reeves and Dereon Pennamon with nine points each. Malik Epps and Jay Vinson both finished the evening with three points, and Denoyren Head finished out the scoring with a free throw.
The Hurricane varsity squads opened up region play this week with a visit to Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy Tuesday before a return home this Friday to take on Greenforest Christian (weather depending).
Both teams will then return to the road on Saturday to take on the Hurricanes of Monroe Area.
Southwest Atlanta Christian is a traditional basketball power, a school that has produced numerous college players, and is famous for being the alma mater of NBA star Dwight Howard and also Javaris Crittendon, who played at Georgia Tech and was a former first round pick of the Lakers.
Although the boys’ record shows they have struggled this season at 3-11, Southwest has played a tough non-region slate. The girls team at Southwest has started off strong this season, posting a 12-0 record.
The home game on Friday will have the Eagles come to Monticello. The Lady Eagles, much like their male counterparts, play a regional schedule of teams from throughout the southeast during the season. They started the week with a 7-5 record, with their losses coming to teams from higher classifications, and both teams will present a big challenge to the Monticello program due to their height and length.