Indians Fall Just Short in Region Title Game

The Monroe Area Purple Hurricanes made five 3-pointers in the first quarter to grab a double-digit lead and never trailed winning the region-8 championship game 55-51 over Stephens County Friday night at Oconee County High School in Watkinsville.

Monroe Area led by as many as 13 points in the game, but the Indians cut the lead to three late in the game and had a couple of possessions with a chance to tie.

Corey Richie had 18 points to lead the Indians and Javin Gordon was also in double figures with 10.

Monroe Area was led by all-region players Vonte Newell with 20 points and Jeremy Anderson with 13.

Monroe Area improves to 23-4 on the season. Stephens County falls to 14-12.

Earlier in the day, Hart County defeated Hebron Christian Academy 47-43.

Hebron Christian took the girls region title thrashing Hart County 78-32, and the Oconee County girls defeated Franklin County 58-42 in the consolation game.

As the region runner-up, Stephens County will represent the region as the number 2 seed and will host Wesleyan from region-7 in the first round of the state AAA tournament on Wednesday at 6:30 P.M. WNEG will broadcast the game with an airtime of 6:15 P.M.

Monroe Area will also host as the #1 seed from region 8. Hart County and Hebron Christian Academy will be on the road in the first round.

The Hebron Christian and Hart County girls will host in the first-round while Oconee County and Franklin County will be on the road.