In the world of sports, including high school athletics, rivalry games bring out the best in fans and athletes alike.
That’s what will make this Friday’s contest between the Winder-Barrow High School and Monroe Area High School basketball teams such an exciting event to be a part of.
First, the schools have a long standing rivalry dating back decades. Part of the rivalry has to do with the closeness in location of the two schools separated by only a few miles of highway.
The WBHS boys were 4-1 going into this week’s action.
“Monroe has some size,” said Bulldogg coach Eli Connell. “They are a big team across the boards. They have four players over 6-0. They are athletic, run the press and trap. Offensively, they are going to work it inside.”
Connell concurred that with it being a rival game, an added element is thrown into the boiling pot.
“It will be a wild atmosphere,” the coach said. “Both teams will be ready. We have to keep our composure.”
Visiting Monroe Area is coached by Ron Garren, who is attempting to rebuild the Hurricanes. Now in his third season, Garren is a former WBHS head coach and knows all about the long-time rivalry.
“The Monroe-Winder game has always been a special evening for both communities,” Garren said this week. “Some of the greatest games that I have been associated with are from this rivalry. It is more important now to the coaches due to it being a region game. Winder has a very fine team this year. It will be a challenge for our guys on Friday. Hopefully, we will be ready for the Bulldoggs.”
The WBHS Lady Doggs also enter the rival game at 4-1 overall following last week’s win against Loganville, another Walton County school.
The Monroe Area girls are coming off a 58-48 win against Social Circle, another rival.
Monroe Area girls coach Stephanie Hines knows all about the rivalry between the schools. Now in her 20th season as Lady Canes head coach, Hines said she looks for an up-tempo, physical game Friday.
“I know that Winder-Barrow has improved since last year and they are off to a good start,” Hines said. “However, that really does not matter when these two teams get together.”
Being a coach for as long as she has been, Hines said she always stresses to her team the importance of “one game at a time.”
The Monroe Area girls were set to play Cedar Shoals Tuesday. Preparations for Winder-Barrow would take place Wednesday and Thursday.
Hines also said the games between Winder-Barrow and Monroe Area are “great fundraisers” for both schools since large crowds always attend.
WBHS girls coach Brenda Hill said any time a school plays a rival there will be a level of excitement.
“It will be a challenging game,” Hill said. “I know Monroe is rebuilding this year but I also know Coach Hines will have them ready to play. We have to go out and play disciplined basketball.”
In addition to playing a rival, Hill said her team is excited to be off to such a strong start after posting just nine total wins last season.
Fans will actually be able to see a full slate of games Saturday as junior varsity action begins at 4 p.m.
