Game 24: Monmouth-Roseville @ Macomb (Boy's Basketball)

Game 24
(12/11/09)
Monmouth-Roseville @ Macomb (Boy's Basketball)

A homecoming of sorts for this Olympic Conference showdown. Still living in Macomb, most of time is spent in Monmouth and Galesburg, or actually the most in my vehicle.

After covering the Macomb Bombers for about six years, I became familiar with the basketball program and coach Danny Watson. His first season at MHS was my first year working for the radio stations in Macomb.

Both the Titans and Bombers came into this matchup with some question marks. Monmouth-Roseville (5-1), had really only been tested in a league meeting with Orion (their only loss), while Macomb plays a very tough early season schedule and comes in (2-3).

Fortunately most everything was prepared for the broadcast before hand, since I spent most of the time socializing before the pregame show. Talked with coach Watson and head sophomore coach Jay Ankenbrand when I arrived at the gym around 5:30. The broadcast setup at the Hangar is up in the corner, necessitating lots of phone line to string behind the back of the first set of bleachers. I like to get there extra early to plant the line, so I don't have to move people in their spots.

Dennis and Judy Gordy, parents of Macomb senior Matt Gordy sit near the phone jack, so it's always good to catch up with them. Spoke briefly with Tim and Dina Chick as they arrived to root on their son, Tim Chick, from the Titans. As I strung the phone line, ran into Steve Bainter and we chatted about the upcoming Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament. The seeds and pairings for the Christmas Tournament will be released this Sunday.

As I stationed myself in my location, got a visit from Eric Johnson, head men's soccer coach at Western Illinois University, and the father of a long line of Johnson's that have excelled at Macomb High. His youngest son, MacLean, a sophomore was very impressive in varsity action. He will be very good for the Bombers, and handles the ball extremely well and makes pinpoint passes.

It would be a three-man crew for the broadcast on Sunny 97.7 WMOI. As for most Titans games, Jeff Thompson on color commentary, and Adam Frankhauser stepped in to provide some analysis and took some excellent stats. For a stat geek as myself, I wish I could have that type of stat keeping for every broadcast.

The game started out much in the hosts favor, forcing three Monmouth-Roseville turnovers on their first three posessions. The Bombers would turn each of these turnovers into baskets, jumping out to a 6-0 lead. The Titans would fight right back, behind a three from Alex Temple, a three-point play by Alex Bresnahan, and baskets from Markus Hunter and Garren Randolph.

After one quarter, the Bombers held just a one-point lead, unable to further capitalize on the Titans mistakes. By halftime, Monmouth-Roseville had 11 turnovers to Macomb's three, yet it was a 19-17 lead for the Bombers at the half.

Macomb entered the game shooting just 57% from the free throw line as a team, while Monmouth-Roseville came in at 55%. The Bombers improved, the Titans didn't. Macomb made nine of their first ten free shots, and finished (13-19) at the line, while the visitors finished an anemic 36% (5-14).

The game got a little chippy in the second half, a physical game developed, which is expected when these two rivals meet. The wheels fell off for Monmouth-Roseville midway through the fourth quarter, and the Bombers jumped out to a double-digit lead, and hung on for a 48-34 victory.

Alex Bresnahan scored a game-high 16 points for the Titans, but little scoring after that. Alex Heille, the 6'5" senior transfer student, led Macomb with 11 points, while Robert McKee added 10 points, and Tyler Thorman pitched in 9 points.

To sum up the game in two words, I would use...not pretty.

The Quest File Notes
Game 24
Date: 12/11/09
Result: Macomb survives for 48-34 win over Monmouth-Roseville
Miles: 3