Lee County, Westover Secure Victories in Intense Dougherty Classic
UPDATE: In a thrilling evening of high school basketball, the boys’ teams from Lee County and Westover clinched hard-fought victories at the Dougherty Tip-Off Classic held at Albany State on November 10, 2023. The stands were packed, with fans arriving early to witness the intense action, reminiscent of midseason play despite being just the start of the season.
Lee County decisively defeated Dougherty, finishing at 66–43, showcasing their dominance as the game progressed. Meanwhile, Westover overcame a halftime deficit to triumph over Monroe with a final score of 60–53.
In the first game, Lee County’s senior star, T.J. Williams, ignited the team after a slow start. The score was tied at 5–5 when Williams sank a crucial three-pointer, followed by a quick steal and layup, pushing Lee County ahead 10–5. Dougherty’s Mikel Roberts responded with back-to-back three-pointers, allowing his team to lead 14–13 after the first quarter.
However, Lee County controlled the second quarter, bolstered by six points from Williams, reclaiming a 29–25 lead by halftime. Their defensive strategy tightened significantly, leading to a powerful third quarter where they outscored Dougherty 23–11 and ultimately secured the win. Williams and teammate Josiah Franklin each scored 16 points, while Dougherty’s top scorer was Marcus Heath with 15 points.
The second game was equally gripping as Westover faced Monroe, with both teams exchanging leads throughout. The first quarter ended in a deadlock at 12–12, and Monroe edged ahead 27–24 by halftime. Westover’s coach Dallis Smith delivered a motivational message during the break, which sparked a phenomenal third quarter where the Patriots surged ahead with a 22–7 scoring run.
Despite Monroe’s late-game efforts led by Tristen Terry with 19 points, Westover maintained their composure at the free-throw line, sealing the victory. The Patriots were led by Tyqwavius Johnson with 13 points, while Jaxon Reese and Gregory Williams added 12 points each.
Monroe’s coach, Michael Hoffpauir, expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about his young team’s future. “We came up short, but I’m extremely proud of my young team,” he stated, acknowledging areas for improvement while appreciating their defensive efforts.
Looking ahead, Monroe will travel to Valdosta on November 17, while Westover is set to visit Lowndes on November 14. Lee County will host Tift County on the same day as Westover’s game, while Dougherty prepares to welcome Colquitt County.
Stay tuned for more updates on the high school basketball scene as teams gear up for the remainder of the season!
