Story by Kadin Rogers.
The Monmouth-Roseville Titans boys basketball team was in action on Wednesday night, hosting the state ranked Rockridge Rockets in the semifinals of the class 2A Monmouth-Roseville regional.
In a quick start for both teams Rockets junior Caleb Cunico and Titans senior Nico Avendano traded 3s to open the first quarter, while Ayden Almaguer knocked down another 3 to keep the momentum going for Monmouth-Roseville. After back to back buckets from Rockridge, Avendano would score on a strong take to the rim, then he would trade 3s with Landon Bull to put the Titans on top 13-10. Carson Klemme scored for the Rockets on a put back to cut the lead to 13-12 in favor of Monmouth-Roseville after one quarter. A defensive would battle would fully ensue in the second quarter, as the first score of the period did not come until two minutes to play when Payton Thompson knocked down a jumper. Klemme quickly tied the game back up at 15 all, and the Rockets went on a 5-1 run to end the half, capitalized by an and one from Landon Wheatley at the buzzer to put Rockridge up 20-16.
Out of the halftime break, the Rockets would put on a run on the strength of multiple 3s to push their lead up to 28-16. Darrion Smith would break up the run on a nice put back, however Rockridge would turn around a knock down another slew of 3s to up their lead to 19 points. Nico Avendano ended the 3rd quarter on a high note for Monmouth-Roseville knocking down a corner 3, while Landon Bull and Darrion Smith traded free throws to send the game to the final 8 minutes of play. To wrap up the game the Titans played without quit, as Almaguer and Avendano rolled in reverse layups to cut in to the Rockridge lead, however the Rockets would keep it out of reach, holding on to a 48-33 win over Monmouth-Roseville.
In the stat book for the Titans, Nico Avendano led the way with 19 points. The loss for Monmouth-Roseville ends their season at an overall record of 15-18, and they will now set their sights on preparing for next season after graduating seniors Jake Steele, Ayden Almaguer, Nico Avendano, Darrion Smith, Tyler Finnicum, and Ty Corsaro.
