Game 54: Monmouth-Roseville vs. West Prairie (Girl's Basketball)

Game 54
(1/9/10)
Monmouth-Roseville vs. West Prairie (Girl's Basketball)
Lady Panther Classic (@ Camp Pt. Central)

Arriving back at Camp Pt. Central High School right at 1:00, an hour before tipoff of the afternoon session. The West Prairie team bus pulled in right behind me. Walking into the gym, I scanned the historic structure looking for my broadcast location. I found it in the upper corner, nearest the gym's entrance.

A very historic gym, I like it much better than the new gym at Camp Point. The new gym is just so huge, 100 people in attendance makes it look like a half dozen. At the far end of the playing floor, is a stage of sorts. There is also a row of bleachers that pull out. I counted about five or six rows of seating that can be extended out. Above, is what they designate the "CPC Band Cave", as it does have an inset cave-like feel to it. Not much seating in this gym, but about the same crowd came to the afternoon games as the morning games, and it made it look like a sell-out here.

Monmouth-Roseville and West Prairie are meeting for the second time this season. The Titans were victorious earlier in the year at West Prairie. The Cyclones are a feisty team that have given very good teams fits (see Monmouth-Roseville, Knoxville, etc.).

I had plenty of time to talk with both coaches. First, was Brandon Mize, in his second year at West Prairie. His team had played state-ranked Havana earlier in the day, and lost 66-31. His leading scorer, Chelsea Derry, was held to just one point and fouled out. She averages 20+ points/game. Taylor Harper had 11 points and 14 rebounds in the morning loss.

Mize said the team went down to Quincy for a couple hours between games, while he stayed and watched the second game (Central/Southeastern vs. Liberty). He said he wasn't very hungry after the team's loss.

Monmouth-Roseville entered the gym about 15 minutes later. I spoke with coach Jim Cole, and asked about one of his top players, Rebecca Gillen. She rolled her ankle at practice early in the week and was on crutches Tuesday night. He said she went hard in practice on Friday, would start this game, but hoped to give her some rest and get the ankle iced down and ready for the night game. His team also had some very good practices all week long.

Also had a visit with Central/Southeastern head coach Matt Long. His team fell to Mendon Unity in the morning, and had the afternoon off, before playing that night. He informed me of the hospitality room, but I ruined my appetite on that delicious lunch of cheddar fries and gummy sharks. D'OH!

The Titans got off to a slow start, and the game was tied, 12-12 after one quarter. Claire McGuire had 6 points and 3 rebounds in that time span. The Monmouth-Roseville defense forced 10 turnovers in the first quarter, but could not capitalize. The Titans only turned the ball over four times in the same time length.

Monmouth-Roseville started a scoring spurt in the second quarter, leading 30-23 at halftime. The Titans were boosted by a Taylor Woods three-pointer from the right side wing at the buzzer. Holding on to the ball with time ticking away, point guard Lynsey Weber passed the ball to Woods with 0:01.5 to play in the half, and Woods just released and, swish.

It was more offense for the Titans to start the second half, outscoring the Cyclones 19-10 in the third quarter. West Prairie tried to chip in, but Monmouth-Roseville already had the game in hand, and the final eight minutes saw the Titans get several players into the ball game. Megan Wallen sank her third three-pointer of the game in the fourth quarter, and Taylor Harper had eight points in the last quarter.

Monmouth-Roseville went on to pick up the 62-47 win behind Claire McGuire's 14 points. Amanda Schreck added 12 points. The Titans defense forced 26 Cyclones turnovers. Turnovers have been the achilles heel at West Prairie this season. Chelsea Derry led the Cyclones with 14 points, while Megan Wallen added 12 points, and Taylor Harper pitched in 11 points.

The Quest File Notes
Game 54
Date: 1/9/10
Result: Monmouth-Roseville pressures West Prairie for win, 62-47
Miles: Already here