Recap by Kadin Rogers
Abingdon-Avon High School was the site of a Saturday evening battle of two schools separated by just 3 miles, as the Monmouth-Roseville Titans took on the United Red Storm in game seven of the 2024 Great Western Shootout. Looking to finish a busy and successful week of basketball off strong, the Titans would overcome a slow offensive start to eventually outlast the Red Storm 52-38.
In a sloppy start for both teams, United would find themselves up 4-0 as the clock approached midway through quarter number one. Lars Bergren ended up being the one to take the lid off the scoring for Monmouth-Roseville before an Ethan Clark three took the lead at 5-4 for the Titans. Wrapping up a low scoring first eight minutes of action it was the Red Storm ending the quarter on a 4-0 run to take an 8-7 lead. Trailing by four early in the second, Nick Huston’s put back off a miss coupled with a Clay Casteel three quickly put Monmouth-Roseville back on top 12-11 with 5 minutes to play in the half. The Titans would go on to knock down two more threes by Clark and Casteel, guiding their way to a six point 20-14 lead at the halftime break.
The Titans would continue swinging early in the second half, as Nick Huston’s fast break and one put M-R in the lead 26-18, however this was answered by a Red Storm run as Zeke Clark kicked it off with a three ball, and after an and one from Elliott Copeland, United would find themselves on top by one. Monmouth-Roseville was able to close out the quarter strong, aided by an Ethan Clark three and strong finish at the rim by Cee Sarcomo to put the Titans up 33-29 heading into the final quarter. Monmouth-Roseville would likely play their best ball of the game in the closing quarter, as out of the gate Clark knocked down all of his free throws after being fouled behind the arc and Lars Bergren drilled a three of his own to give the Titans their largest lead of the night at 39-29. Monmouth-Roseville continued to build on this lead in the closing minutes of the quarter. The Titans active hands on defense led to multiple fast break scores from Bergren, Sarcomo, and Huston, as the Titans salted away their 8th win of the season.
In the stat book for Monmouth-Roseville, Lars Bergren’s game leading 17 points was enough to get him the award of the game’s most valuable player. The win for the Titans improves their overall record to 8-5, and after seven games in the last two weeks, the team will now get a couple days off for the holidays before returning to action on the 26th to start play in the Macomb Western Holiday Tournament. The Titans are matched up with the Liberty Eagles at 1:30.
For the replay of the WMOI radio broadcast of the game, go to the SPORTS PODCAST section.
