On the first day of the BallHER Showcase for girls basketball teams, South Effingham and Jenkins each got a lesson in the school of hard knocks.
Jenkins, host of the third annual event in Savannah, trailed by as many as 26 points but played more solidly in the second half in losing to Monroe 60-43 on Monday night. The Albany school (10-0) is ranked No. 4, and Jenkins (7-4) is No. 8 in the most recent Class 3A state rankings by Sandysspiel.com.
“(Monroe is) a very well-coached team, a very disciplined team, a very aggressive team,” Jenkins coach Brianna Brooker said. “I like making these kinds of matchups to be able to get ourselves prepared for the playoffs.”
The Warriors went to the GHSA Class 3A state semifinals last season, losing 56-55 to eventual champion Cherokee Bluff. Monroe fell to Cherokee Bluff 63-54 in the quarterfinals. Cherokee Bluff defeated Baldwin in the state final.
Baldwin (3-6 this season) faces Jenkins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, the final day of the showcase.
South Effingham had trouble scoring from the start and keeping the taller Norcross squad from dominating the boards in a 50-26 setback earlier Monday at Jenkins’ gym.
Mustangs coach Alexus Parker, echoing Brooker’s perspective, said it was a learning experience for SEHS (12-4) to face 6A Norcross (9-3) during the winter break before the Region 1-5A slate.
“We knew that we would have some challenges just because of their size and athleticism,” Parker said. “But the biggest thing is I don’t think we competed today. I don’t feel like we capitalized on the small things that we talked about – taking away some of their strengths that we reviewed and we practiced on all week. I feel like we fell short in that area. But ultimately, these are the games we need going into region play next week. It’ll prepare us.”
The showcase’s purpose is literally in its name, to bring together some of Southeast Georgia’s highly competitive programs and elite players when, as Brooker said, teams might travel to Atlanta or Florida for such exposure.
“The reason we do this is to able to put a spotlight on Southeast Georgia,” Brooker said. “If ever there’s an opportunity that I can put in a kid in the position to grow, whether they’re mine or somebody else’s, I’m going to do it. That’s what this tournament is all about. It’s not about us making money.”
Tuesday’s schedule at Jenkins High School (updated Monday night):
11:30 a.m., St. Vincent’s Academy vs. Portal*
1 p.m., Groves vs. Glynn Academy*
2:30 p.m., South Effingham vs. Tift County
4 p.m., Norcross vs. Monroe
5:30 p.m., Baldwin vs. Jenkins
7 p.m., Savannah Country Day vs. Calvary Day
*Change in opponents
MONDAY RECAPS
Monroe 60, Jenkins 43
The Golden Tornadoes don’t have any seniors on their roster, but that doesn't matter as the talented squad is led by junior Kie’Aundria Acree, daughter of Monroe head coach Jennifer Acree.
The 6-foot-1 forward/wing exceeded her season average of 30.2 points per game by pouring in 33 to keep a safe cushion for Monroe through Jenkins’ frantic and effective full-court press in the second half.
“That young lady can probably play in the W(NBA) one day. She’s legit,” Brooker said. “As a matter of fact, I just recommended her to the coach at Jackson State.”
Acree, who showed her scoring touch on drives to the hoop as well as deep 3-pointers, had 18 points by halftime, when the Golden Tornadoes led 32-11.
Jenkins played Monroe even in the third quarter and had a 14-10 edge in the final period as the press – a key to the Warriors’ playoff run last season – forced the Golden Tornadoes into many turnovers.
The Warriors, despite their quick feet and reflexes for great court coverage, had some issues cashing in on these and other opportunities throughout the game.
“I think tonight we did a lot of damage to ourselves,” Brooker said. “We missed a lot, a lot, a lot of layups tonight. We didn’t shoot that well on free throws – the few times we were able to get to the line.”
Jenkins might expect to be sharper as the season progresses. The school’s flag football and girls basketball teams share many of the same players, as well as Brooker as coach. The flag football team (22-2) played in the GHSA Division 2 state championship game on Dec. 15, falling to Greenbrier 20-13.
“We haven’t had a real opportunity to be able to get back in practice mode and the conditioning,” Brooker said. “I’m very proud of the effort today for sure, the way they fought back in the second half.”
Senior Taylor Young, a 6-2 center, led the Warriors with 13 points while junior I’Yarna Lee and senior A’Niyah Browner, standouts in both sports, scored nine points apiece.
“My girls are tough,” Brooker said. “They are competing at a high level in both sports at the same time. You don’t find too many high school kids – whether they’re guys or girls – who can do that, manage, and they all have 3.0-plus GPA’s. So they’re not taking any plays off, whether it’s on the court, on the field or in the classroom.”
Monroe |14|18|18|10|–|60
Jenkins |6|5|18|14|–|43
Monroe (60)
Taylor Mckinzy 11, Toye 5, Hines 9, Vickers 2, Kie’Aundria Acree 33.
Jenkins (43)
Lee 9, Browner 9, Jones 8, Scott 4, Taylor Young 13.
Records—Monroe 10-0, Jenkins 7-4.
Norcross 50, South Effingham 26
The Blue Devils never trailed in keeping the Mustangs in single digits in each of the four quarters.
Turnovers in the early going kept South Effingham from attempting shots on many possessions, and when the Mustangs did, offensive rebounds were few and far between.
“I think rebounding is not always necessarily a skill – it’s effort,” Parker said. “I just don’t feel like we gave the effort in that aspect today.”
Norcross used 6-foot-5 Taylor Johnson as a rim protector as well as a deterrent high in the post. Gabby Thomas, a sophomore guard, played bigger than her 5-11 frame with her athleticism.
Thomas finished with a game-high 19 points, Johnson had eight, and point guard Tobi Owolabi had 14.
Freshman guard Kyla Shuman led the Mustangs with eight points, while the team’s leading scorer this season, junior point guard Kailyn Chapman, was held to six points, less than half her season average (15.5) entering the game.
Parker said the team likes to schedule a tournament during the break. South Effingham plays Tift County (7-5) at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Jenkins High School.
“(To) get us in shape after the holidays and just making sure we’re cleaning up on the small things,” Parker said of the BallHER Showcase. “We’ve seen a lot of things that we need to work on, specifically boxing out. I think it’s good for us.”
NHS |15|17|11|7|–|50
SEHS |8|3|8|7|–|26
Norcross (50)
Gabby Thomas 19, Tobi Owolabi 14, Harris 2, N. Thomas 2, McCrary 2, Johnson 8, Mock 3.
South Effingham (26)
White 2, France 6, Chapman 6, Shuman 8, Johnson 4.
Records—Norcross 9-3, South Effingham 12-4.
BallHer Day #1 Final Scores
Monday, December 29, 2025
Thomson 53, Beach 40
St. Vincent's Academy 72, Calvary 7
Glynn Academy 51, Savannah Country Day 48
Groves 69, portal 17
Tiff Co. 59, Baldwin 37
Norcross 50, South Effingham 26
Monroe 60, Jenkins 43
Photo Credit: Courtesy LensbyShaunce
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