Following last night’s loss to Camp Point Central, the Titans of Monmouth-Roseville needed a tough showing on the morning of Day 3. They got it in a gutsy 46-33 win over Abingdon-Avon’s Tornadoes. The first half was anyone’s game as it went to break with a 20-19 score. The Titans won both of the final two quarters and took a decisive victory. Monmouth forced 20 A-Town into turnovers and converted those into 16 points. A-Town actually decisively won the rebounding battle by a count of 32-21. Unfortunately they couldn’t convert those into meaningful second chance points.
Monmouth-Roseville’s Darrion Smith might have put his name into All-Tournament Team discussion with an impressive 18 points, five rebounds, two assists, five blocks, and three steals. All but assists were a team-high. Jake Steele’s five rebounds tied Smith and his four assists led the team in the category.
A-Town had a spread-out scoring attack with Carter Redfern’s nine, Kellen Hook’s eight, and Asa Stegall’s seven points. Stegall led the game with eight rebounds and led his team with three assists. In a tournament where free throws have been anything but free, the Tornadoes shot an impressive 9-for-11 (81.8%) from the free throw line.
The Titans (10-5) will move on to play the 5th Place game against Illini Bluffs. That contest will take place in Game 24, tonight at 6:30pm. A-Town (7-9) has been eliminated from the tournament.
Box Score
Abingdon-Avon Info
Monmouth-Roseville Info
Chris Derry
December 30, 2023