Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Straughn withstood a furious comeback bid by Monroe County and claimed a hard-fought 42-40 varsity boys’ win in the second game of Richard Robertson’s 57th Annual Andalusia Christmas Tournament on Wednesday, Dec. 13.

Kaden Wiggins gave Straughn a quick 2-0 lead five seconds in, but Monroe County responded back and took a 6-2 lead. Al’montae Preyear hit a three-pointer as Al’terrius Beasley collected a jumper and free throw. Parker Black followed with a bucket before Allan McClain scored a basket. Wiggins closed the first period with a nice drive to the hoop and put the score at 8-6.

SHS opened the second period on an 8-0 run and seized momentum. Taylor Sikes swished a three for a 9-8 lead, and Clark Jordan went off the glass for two. Jordan pushed the margin to 14-8 with a three-point play. After Preyear knocked down a jumper, Jeremy Watson went one-of-two at the line and brought MCHS within three. Layne Grantham followed with a fast break layup and one. Jordan added two late free throws and capped a seven-point effort in the frame for a 19-15 halftime lead.

Jordan, Cameron Adams, and Black all found the hoop for two in the third. McClain, Jadaylen Lambert, and Beasley each scored a bucket for MCHS. Grantham converted another three-point play as SHS took a 30-23 lead after three.

Grantham and Black began the final period with nice drives to the basket and stretched the lead to 34-23 with 7:05 left in the game. Monroe County refused to back down and made things interesting with 10 of the next 12 points. Clark Gay had a jumper for a 36-28 lead, and Jaylen Sanders cut the deficit to 36-33 with a three-pointer at the 3:18 mark. Jordan stretched the lead to 40-35 with a basket before MCHS tied it at 40-40. Jordan had the game-winning basket with 1.3 seconds left as SHS held on for the victory.

Jordan was the top scorer for Straughn (4-5) with 15 points. Black and Grantham each added eight points in the win.

Preyear led Monroe County (3-5) with 11 points and was followed by Beasley at nine. Sanders earned seven in the loss as McClain scored six.

Straughn advances to play Opp (1-7) on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 3:30 p.m. Monroe County will play a consolation game on Friday, Dec. 15.

Hillcrest-Evergreen defeated McKenzie, 98-73, in the first game played on the day.