In a thrilling showcase of talent, the Dougherty Tip-Off Classic saw the boys’ teams from Lee County and Westover secure victories on November 10, 2023, at Albany State West. Both teams demonstrated their readiness for the season, with Lee County defeating Dougherty 66–43 and Westover overcoming Monroe 60–53.
Lee County Dominates Dougherty
The opening game featured an electric atmosphere as the stands filled well before tipoff, creating a palpable energy reminiscent of midseason basketball. Lee County and Dougherty initially exchanged baskets, with the score tied at 5–5. Senior T.J. Williams ignited a surge for Lee County by sinking a three-pointer and then quickly scoring again after stealing the inbounds pass, pushing Lee County into a 10–5 lead.
Dougherty’s Mikel Roberts responded with back-to-back three-point shots, allowing the Trojans to take a narrow 14–13 lead by the end of the first quarter. However, Lee County found its rhythm in the second quarter, with Williams contributing six points and the team executing better ball movement to reclaim a 29–25 advantage at halftime. The Lee Trojans tightened their defense and excelled in transition, outscoring Dougherty 23–11 in the third quarter. This decisive performance led them to a comfortable victory.
Both Josiah Franklin and Williams finished the game with 16 points for Lee County. Dougherty’s leading scorer was Marcus Heath, who netted 15 points, while Roberts and Markis Collins added seven points each.
Westover Shows Resilience Against Monroe
The nightcap was a battle of endurance as Westover faced Monroe. The two teams exchanged leads throughout the game, culminating in a first quarter that ended in a 12–12 tie. Monroe edged ahead to a 27–24 lead by halftime. The turning point came during a powerful third quarter for Westover, sparked by an inspirational message from coach Dallis Smith.
Westover surged with a remarkable 22–7 third quarter, seeing contributions from six different players, which allowed them to turn a three-point deficit into a commanding double-digit lead. Despite a late rally from Monroe, led by Tristen Terry with 19 points and Brayden Burns with 14, Westover maintained its composure at the free-throw line to secure a 60–53 win.
Tyqwavius Johnson led Westover’s scoring with 13 points, while teammates Jaxon Reese and Gregory Williams each added 12 points. Monroe’s head coach, Michael Hoffpauir, expressed disappointment over the loss but remained optimistic about his young team’s potential.
“We came up short, but I’m extremely proud of my young team,” Hoffpauir stated. “We had too many live-ball turnovers, but I was really pleased with our defense. We’ll continue building.”
Looking ahead, Monroe will travel to Valdosta for their next game, while Westover prepares to visit Lowndes. Lee County will host Tift County, and Dougherty will welcome Colquitt County, setting the stage for another exciting week of high school basketball.
