Story by Kadin Rogers
Braggin’ rights were once again on the line this past Friday night when the Macomb Bombers took the 33 mile drive down Route 67 to the Shoebox of Monmouth-Roseville High School to take on the Titans. It had been a couple of seasons since Monmouth-Roseville was able to come out on top in this rivalry series, dating back to the 2019-2020 season, however that would change as the Titans strung together four quarters of solid play to wrap up the regular season with a 43-37 win over a team that had just 4 losses coming into Friday night. Nick Huston’s 8 points in the first quarter would be the start of a fantastic night for the junior, with the highlight of the quarter coming after Huston forced a turnover on the defensive end, then took it coast to coast to extend an early Titans lead. After Lars Bergren free throws and another score from Huston put the Titans up 5, Malachi Conley’s turnaround jumper for Macomb ended the quarter at 14-11 in favor of Monmouth-Roseville.
Back to back scores from Macomb to open the second quarter quickly put the Bombers back on top, but when the Titans needed answers they found them all game as a three ball from Ethan Clark grabbed the lead right back. A low scoring second quarter would end after Andy Myers answered a Conley three with a layup to keep the Titans on top by a thin 21-20 margin at halftime. Out of the halftime break, Cee Sarcomo scored his first four points of the contest but Macomb knocked down two three pointers to take a 26-25 lead. The Bombers would hold and extend this lead up to four points, before a 7-0 run from Monmouth-Roseville, highlighted by a steal from Sarcomo and assist to Huston gave the Titans back the lead at 33-30. After this run, Macomb would continue the back and fourth volley by scoring four straight points and taking a 34-33 lead into the fourth and final quarter.
The Titans knew they would need a clutch finish to put the final touches on a momentum building win and they did exactly that in arguably the gutsiest quarter of play so far this season. Nick Huston continued to show out in a career performance, scoring on an and one down low, then going coast to extend the Titans lead to four points. After this point the Titans just wouldn’t look back, as back to back scores from sophomore Lars Bergren gave M-R a 42-37 advantage. Macomb got multiple possessions to chip away at the lead, however Monmouth-Roseville’s defense stood tall, wrapping up a huge 43-37 home win to end the regular season.
In the stat book for Monmouth-Roseville, Nick Huston’s 22 points would lead the charge while Ethan Clark added in 7, and Lars Bergren and Cee Sarcomo each had 6 a piece. The win for the Titans sets their overall record at 12-18 through an entire season of play, and they will now set their sights towards IHSA regional play beginning on Monday night, with a home quarterfinal rematch against the Kewanee Boilermakers. The Titans came away victorious 62-52 in the last meeting between the two clubs. Winner of this match will move on to the Mercer County regional to take on the waiting Sherrard Tigers.
For the replay of the WMOI radio broadcast of the game, go to the SPORTS PODCAST section.
