CORDELE, GA -- With high school football coming to a close, the beauty of basketball picked up the slack on this December Friday night. In an early 4A- region one battle, the Monroe Tornadoes held the advantage over Crisp County.

Both Tornado teams withstood tight contests against Crisp County to remain undefeated.

In a region championship rematch from last season, the Monroe boys escaped with a 40-39 low scoring win over the Cougars. While the Monroe Lady Tornadas used Keke Price and defense to slow down center Nasheema Oliver and the Lady Cougars 53-45.

With Georgia Bulldog women’s basketball coach Andy Landers in attendance to watch Oliver, the Cougars senior almost did enough to give her team a win finishing with 20 points.

But it was Monroe’s price that tallied a basket and a pivotal foul on the Cougar standout in the final minutes to push the game out of reach.