MONROE — After starting the 2009-10 season 1-5, the Monroe High girls basketball team has hit a hot streak in the last month.

The 1A Redhawks have won six of their last seven, including their most recent win over Central Academy (63-16) on Friday.

Monroe’s only loss during the run came to 4A Porter Ridge last Wednesday in a 60-55 decision. Earlier this season, the Pirates rolled to a 49-25 victory in their first meeting.

MHS is currently 7-6 overall, and more importantly, 4-2 in the Rocky River Conference. Two of their losses early in the season came to Parkwood, which is currently 12-0 as Union County’s only unbeaten team. Porter Ridge is 11-2 overall.

“We trust each other and we’ve got more confidence than we did those first four or five games,” said Monroe coach Dwayne Carelock. “If you look at the combined record of teams we played early on, it’s pretty good. Parkwood hasn’t lost and Porter Ridge only has two losses, so we feel like we played some of the best competition in the area. Even though some of the scores were lopsided, I feel like those games made us stronger.”

The Redhawks won the consolation tournament of the CMC-Union Holiday Classic at Wingate University last month, knocking off Union Academy in the championship game.

Monroe’s scoring has dramatically improved during their hot stretch. The Redhawks are averaging 60.5 points in their last eight contests after totaling just 36.0 points in their first five games.

“Our philosophy going into the season was that we wanted to push the ball,” said Carelock. “Our shooting percentage was in the 20’s for the first four or five games, but we’ve bumped that up to around 38 percent. Our defense is better and are steals and assists are up, so that’s leading to some offense on the other end.”

MHS junior guard Dequisha McCain leads Union County in scoring at 16.2 points per game while teammate Shakira Jordan is averaging 11.2 points per contest.

McCain, who was named MVP of the consolation tournament, has scored 20 or more in her last three outings, including a game-high 25 in Wednesday’s loss to the Pirates.

“The team is aware that Dequisha is scoring the ball and they’re making an effort to get her the ball,” said Carelock. “She’s out best shooter and scorer, and the girls depend on her. We knew that going into the season.”

Monroe travels to face archrival Forest Hills on Tuesday before taking on Piedmont at home on Friday.