Game 82
(2/5/10)
Monmouth-Roseville @ Rockridge (Boy's Basketball)
I woke up today earlier than I normally do when I have to work in the morning. This was a good thing as I had a lot I needed to do before heading to work late in the morning. I was able to finish the Thursday night girl's basketball scoreboard, a load of laundry, and get things ready for a weekend away from home. In addition, I had to make a trip to the bank and then out to Hibbet's Sports and Brown's Shoe Fit.
My target in my shopping trip was a new Nike Dri-Fit polo or long sleeve shirt. Hibbet's didn't really have a good selection, so I left empty handed. I stopped into Brown's Shoe Fit in Macomb to see my good buddy, Jimmie Koller, owner of the store. I have been tracking down a pair of all black Nike Shox, and he had them just in my size. We talked some Iowa Hawkeyes sports, as he keeps me informed on what is happening in Hawkeye heaven.
Before heading to the game, I made my bold prediction of Monmouth-Roseville winning by 12 points. The first matchup went to the Titans on their home floor by 8 points (52-44) after jumping out to a hot start.
Jeff Thompson, my broadcast partner, stopped by the station at 5:00 and rode with me to the game. He has missed the last six or seven Titans games due to business travel. His son Brian, was on the talented Titan teams of a few years ago.
We pulled up to Rockridge High School with a few minutes to go before the tipoff of the JV game. I strolled up to my normal broadcast location. For some reason on this night, the bleachers were not up in the top half of the gym, and there were signs posted everywhere "Pep Band Only" all the way up the steps.
My broadcast set up is in the far corner, as I learned several years ago the band sits in the near side of the bleachers at the top. Sitting near the band can be so loud it makes me forget my name sometimes.
After balancing around some random pieces of equipment and baseball nets, we were all set to go. Rockridge has also been notorious for being a broadcaster's nightmare with cell reception. I will never forget the many dropped calls on the old analog bag phone (remember those!) when following the Macomb Bombers in this gym.
Near halftime, I went down to talk with Coach Chuck Grant. I ran into Scott Daly, Athletic Director at Rockridge, and we spoke briefly. Rockridge honored their 7th grade basketball team at halftime and handed out medals at halftime of the JV game.
Alex Temple would be missing the game tonight, with mono. The Titans have had an entire week off, and will go through the same routine next week. Coach Grant is not a big fan of that, especially this late in the season. Grant took over as Athletic Director this year, so he said he is working on alleviating that in the next couple seasons, though it looks like next year the schedule will remain the same.
The JV game went into overtime, with Rockridge pulling out the win, 53-51. Lady Luck was not on our sides with an overtime JV game, PLUS Senior Night at Rockridge. Fortunately, the senior night festivities did not drag on all that long.
If we thought the start in the first meeting was hot (15-6 after the first quarter), tonight it was a raging inferno. Alex Bresnahan torched the nets for nine points in the opening quarter as the Titans stormed out to a 20-6 lead after a quarter.
The heat continued in the second quarter, with Markus Hunter feeling the hot hand, knocking down a couple three-pointers, including the sweetest assist I have seen all season. After a near turnover, Drew Cole threw the ball at B.J. Salyers running with his back to the basketball. The loose ball hit the back of Salyers foot, but was able to recover and save the posession. He dealt the ball to Cody Whiteside, who made one of the most amazing passes I've seen in some time at this level, swinging the ball behind his back, spot on, to Markus Hunter who drilled a three from the far wing. Hunter scored 14 points in the first half.
Monmouth-Roseville led Rockridge 41-14 at halftime. The second half was a slow start for the Titans, and things only got worse. B.J. Salyers went down with a cut above his eye. He would leave the game, and eventually the gym, to get stitches on the wound. Alex Bresnahan also went down with a hip injury, but would return later in the game.
Rockridge fired back, and outscored the Titans 18-5 in the third quarter, to climb back in the game. The run would continue in the fourth quarter, and at times with a 15-point lead, the Titans acted very rushed, like they were trailing by 15 points. They took several ill-advised shots, but fortunately for the Titans they would fall.
The Titans would hold off Rockridge with an eight point win (62-54). Rockridge's Jeremy McManus hit a three at the buzzer to make it an eight-point game. Markus Hunter, playing in front of the Black Hawk College coach, scored a game-high 21 points. He was joined in double figures by Alex Bresnahan with 15 points, and Drew Cole with 12 points. Rockridge sophomore Joe Heath scored a team-high 20 points.
With a couple inches of snow fall, the roads were not in terrible shape. Actually, much better than what I was expecting. Upon reaching Monmouth at 11:00, I made a run to the Bell for a 4th meal! I decided to support the game of basketball by grabbing the NBA Cheesy Gordita Crunch Box for $5. This comes with the namesake from Taco Bell, along with the cinnamon sticks, a taco, and a burrito. I retired to my hotel room at AmericInn in Monmouth, where I have to turn around and wake up for the Saturday morning shift, then a trip to the north suburbs for the 83rd broadcast.
The Quest File Notes
Game 82
Date: 2/5/10
Result: Monmouth-Roseville sizzles, then fizzles, in 62-54 win at Rockridge
Miles: 114
No comments:
Post a Comment