UPDATE: In a nail-biting finish, the Monroe Golden Tornadoes defeated the Lee County Trojans 60-54 on the night of November 3, 2023, keeping the intensity of their long-standing rivalry alive. This thrilling matchup unfolded in front of a packed audience at Lee County High School, showcasing the fierce competition that defines these teams, even as both are in rebuilding phases.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams returning only one starter from last season’s successful campaigns. Monroe entered halftime with a slim 29-26 lead and struggled to maintain control throughout the tight contest. Star players faced early foul troubles, leading to an unpredictable game where the momentum shifted back and forth.
In a critical moment in the third quarter, Kameron Jones of Monroe opened the half with a powerful slam dunk, pushing the Golden Tornadoes ahead. However, Kaiden Newberry responded with a steal that facilitated a Jerveah Martin layup, bringing Lee County back into the lead at 42-41. The excitement surged through the home crowd, but Monroe quickly regained their footing with Braden Burns sinking free throws for a 43-42 edge heading into the final quarter.
With just over a minute remaining and the score tied at 52, Monroe’s Tristen Terry broke the deadlock with a free throw, followed by a fast-break layup after a Lee County turnover. As the clock wound down, Hiram Holloway scored another basket, stretching Monroe’s lead to 57-52. With full-court pressure mounting, the Golden Tornadoes forced critical mistakes from Lee County, ultimately sealing their victory.
Burns led Monroe with an impressive 20 points, while Terry contributed 14 points. For Lee County, Franklin was the standout with 14 points, and Kendrell Butler added 10 points. The win improved Monroe’s record to 4-2, while the Trojans fell to 4-4.
In the girls’ matchup, the No. 3-ranked Monroe Lady Nadas dominated the court, defeating Lee County and marking a significant milestone for head coach Jennifer Acree with her 450th career win. Monroe raced to a commanding 13-3 lead in the first quarter and maintained control throughout, finishing the game unbeaten at 7-0.
Kie’Aundria Acree was a force to be reckoned with, scoring an astounding 33 points, along with 10 rebounds and four blocked shots, overwhelming Lee County’s defense. Despite a brief resurgence from Lee County’s Camya Hutcherson, who scored 21 points, the Lady Nadas’ depth and pace secured their victory.
As the teams look ahead, all eyes will be on how each squad adjusts going forward. The intensity of this rivalry remains strong, and fans can expect more thrilling matchups as the season progresses.
