William Monroe’s boys basketball team knew what was on the line Monday night on the road against Meridian High.
There isn’t a lot of separation at the top of the Northwestern District with Skyline and Manassas Park also battling out among the Division 3 teams.
If the Dragons wanted to win the Northwestern Division 3 title outright, they had to take care of business against Meridian.
Monroe delivered.
The Dragons beat Meridian 63-58 on the road to clinch the outright Northwestern District championship. They’re also the No. 1 seed in the Region 3B tournament that starts Friday night when the Dragons square off with James Monroe.
Troy Jones led the way for Monroe Monday, scoring 24 points and pulling down four rebounds. Tucker Shifflett also had a big night with 16 points and seven assists while Ja’Quis Carpenter scored 15 and pulled down seven boards. Brady Lam chipped in five points and six rebounds.
The Dragons (16-3, 8-2 Northwestern District) jumped out to a 14-8 lead in the first quarter and extended that lead in the second with Carpenter scoring nine of his 15 in the second quarter. Meridan slashed into the Dragons’ lead in the third quarter with a 23-point explosion during that frame, then the Mustangs briefly took a one-point lead in the fourth. Monroe responded, taking the lead back on the next possession, and with excellent free throw shooting from Jones, Shifflett and Aiden McGann in the fourth.
“I’m really proud of our guys for coming together as a team, emphasizing tough defense, and sharing the ball on offense to each other every day in practice and in games,” said Monroe coach Brett Maynard. “This was a good win but we are not content yet.”
The Dragons will face the Jackets Friday at 6 p.m.
