Albany High Schools Monroe and Dougherty Eye Sweet Sixteen Showdown

Local rivals could meet in boys basketball playoffs if both advance past first round

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Class AAA boys state basketball playoffs begin on Wednesday, with all three Albany high schools - Monroe, Dougherty, and Westover - hosting first-round games. If Monroe and Dougherty both win their openers, they would face off in the Sweet Sixteen round on Friday, setting up a compelling local matchup with an Elite Eight berth at stake.

Why it matters

The potential Monroe-Dougherty showdown in the Sweet Sixteen would be a highly anticipated clash between two of Albany's top high school basketball programs. It would also highlight the strength of basketball in the Albany area, which has produced several strong teams and players over the years.

The details

Monroe, the No. 4 seed, will host familiar region foe Bainbridge in the first round, while Dougherty, the No. 13 seed, will host Liberty County. If both teams advance, they would meet in the Sweet Sixteen round on Friday. Westover, the No. 2 seed, will host Lumpkin County in the first round.

  • The Class AAA boys state playoffs begin on Wednesday, February 26, 2026.
  • Monroe will host Bainbridge at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
  • Dougherty will host Liberty County at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
  • If Monroe and Dougherty both win, they would face off in the Sweet Sixteen round on Friday, February 28, 2026.

The players

Monroe Golden Tornadoes

The No. 4 seed in the Class AAA boys state playoffs, Monroe has beaten Bainbridge three times this season and is looking to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

Dougherty Trojans

The No. 13 seed in the Class AAA boys state playoffs, Dougherty finished second in its region and is hosting Liberty County in the first round.

Westover Patriots

The No. 2 seed in the Class AAA boys state playoffs, Westover rolled through its region undefeated during the regular season before stumbling in the region tournament semifinals.

Michael Hoffpauir

The head coach of the Monroe Golden Tornadoes, Hoffpauir commented on the potential for a local matchup in the Sweet Sixteen.

Lumpkin County

The team that will visit Westover in the first round of the Class AAA boys state playoffs, Lumpkin County enters the game with a 23-4 record.

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What they’re saying

“The whole point of making the state playoffs is to face other non-region opponents and see how your region fares against the rest of the state. There are several instances where this is happening in the state brackets. The GHSA will continue to review and try to get it right. Nevertheless, it is what we are facing and the objective is to win and advance and that's what we are intending to do.”

— Michael Hoffpauir, Monroe Head Coach (Albany Herald)

What’s next

If Monroe and Dougherty both win their first-round games, they will face off in the Sweet Sixteen round on Friday, February 28, 2026.

The takeaway

The potential Monroe-Dougherty matchup in the Sweet Sixteen would be a highly anticipated local clash, showcasing the strength of high school basketball in the Albany area. Regardless of the outcome, the playoffs offer an opportunity for Albany's top teams to test themselves against the best competition in the state.