Previewing Monrovia's holiday girls, boys basketball tournaments

Monrovia senior Gaven Followell drives into the lane following a screen by Austin Leeds in their game against Cascade on Dec. 3, 2021.
Monrovia senior Gaven Followell drives into the lane following a screen by Austin Leeds in their game against Cascade on Dec. 3, 2021.

After finishing off its pre-holiday schedule, Monrovia is embracing its next challenge — preparing to host the Bulldog Holiday Tournament.

The Monrovia boys basketball team currently sits with a 3-3 record with wins over Class 1A schools Eminence and Clay City, as well as Class 2A Milan, who will be a competitor in the tournament.

The boys are searching for their first prove it game. The three opponents they've defeated possess a combined record of 1-17. The three losses are to teams with a combined 12-7 record with Class A Edinburgh (7-0) providing most of the wins.

With their first matchup being against a team in their sectional bracket in Tri-West, it's beneficial to be exposed to their style of play while getting experience within a tournament like environment.

"It's really important for the kids to get used to preparation of a tournament like environment," first year Monrovia coach Nick Hinojosa said. "It allows us to see what the game can be played like in various facets and ways. It's super important to play our sectional teams in general."

The Bulldogs' girls team is 4-8, but entering tournament play looking much improved from the start of the season, getting a win over Class 4A Decatur Central and scoring season high 69 points in a win against Class 3A Herron in recent weeks. Their other two victories are against Eminence and Indiana Math and Science Academy.

"This team has done a great job of focusing on improving and getting better," Monrovia coach Kevin Rounds said. "The holiday tournament is a great opportunity to play some quality opponents and continue to improve."

Monrovia senior Trent Hale goes towards the basket during Wednesday's Powder Keg game at Eminence.
Monrovia senior Trent Hale goes towards the basket during Wednesday's Powder Keg game at Eminence.

Boys' Holiday Tournament

Tri-West v. Monrovia (Game 1, Round 1)

Tip: 9:00 a.m.

Tri-West key players: Dylan Bear (16 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 assists per game), Ethan Depinet (8.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists per game).

Tri-West key wins: Benton Central (6-2).

Monrovia key players: Austin Leeds (14.0 points, 6.3 rebounds per game), Todd Camic (12.8 points, 3.5 assists per game), Gaven Followell (12.3 points, 4.8 rebounds per game)

Monrovia key wins: Clay City (1-5), Milan (0-5)

Mitchell v. Southwestern (Shelbyville) (Game 2, R1)

Tip: 10:30 a.m.

Mitchell key wins: Springs Valley (4-3), Salem (2-5)

Southwestern key wins: Trinity Lutheran (3-3)

Danville v. Greenwood Christian (Game 3, R1)

Tip: 12:00 p.m.

Danville key players: Brady Ruggles (26.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals per game), Brayton McMahon (16.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists per game).

Danville key wins: Plainfield (4-4), Lebanon (4-3), Cascade (3-4)

Greenwood Christian key wins: University (5-2)

Milan v. Tipton (Game 4, R1)

Tip: 1:30 p.m.

Milan key wins: N/A

Tipton key players: Nate Powell (19.1 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.1 steals per game), Nolan Swan (15.7 points, 5.9 assists, 2.9 steals per game)

Tipton key wins: Tri-Central (5-2), Lewis Cass (3-4)

Tournament format

Tuesday, Dec. 28

Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 1 - 3:00 pm (Game 5, Consolation)

Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 1 - 4:30 pm (Game 6, Semi-final)

Loser Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3 - 6:00 pm (Game 7, Consolation)

Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3 - 7:30 pm (Game 8, Semi-final)

Wednesday, Dec. 29

Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 7 - 3:00 pm (7th place)

Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 7 - 4:30 pm (5th place)

Loser Game 6 vs. Loser Game 8 - 6:00 pm (3rd place)

Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 6 - 7:30 pm (1st place)

Outlook

Sometimes the best team have to play each other before the finals, and that seems to be the case where Danville and Tipton are likely to matchup in the semi-finals.

As for Monrovia, they've been dealt a tough hand getting Tri-West first, but the game should be a competitive one and viewed as a toss-up. The teams match each other in height and both have some playmakers.

The key for Monrovia will be slowing down the Bruins' offense with two players who score over 15 points a game. Whoever wins the game will likely be favored in their semi-final matchup against either Mitchell or Southwestern.

First place game prediction: Danville vs. Tri-West

Monrovia junior Flower Vare passes to a teammate during Wednesday's Powder Keg game at Eminence.
Monrovia junior Flower Vare passes to a teammate during Wednesday's Powder Keg game at Eminence.

Girls' Holiday Tournament

South Putnam v. University (Game 1, R1)

Tip: 12:00 p.m.

South Putnam key players: Brie Miller, Danae Cline

South Putnam key wins: North Putnam (8-7), West Vigo (6-6), Cloverdale (6-5)

University key players: Payton Seay (15.1 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 steals per game), Patty Chikamba (13.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.5 steals, 3.5 assists per game).

University key wins: Lawrence Central (8-6), Guerin Catholic (6-6), Bethesda Christian (6-2)

Sullivan v. Monrovia (Game 2, R1)

Tip: 2:00 p.m.

Sullivan key players: Gracie Shorter (16.8 points, 3.8 assists, 2.8 steals per game), Delainey Shorter (12.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 3.5 steals per game)

Sullivan key wins: South Knox (6-4), North Putnam (8-7), Shakamak (7-7)

Monrovia key players: Ashley Lewis (10.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 steals per game), Emery Newlin (6.4 points, 3.7 steals, 2.3 assists per game).

Monrovia key wins: Decatur Central (5-8), Eminence (5-6)

Tournament format

Monday, Dec. 27

Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 - 5:00 pm (3rd place)

Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 - 7:00 pm (1st place)

Outlook

The girls tournament has some very talented teams. University (9-2) poses the biggest threat, but South Putnam (7-6) has enough talent to challenge them. Sullivan (10-3) has also proven they're a great team and will be a tough out for the Bulldogs.

To move on to the final round, Monrovia will need consistency scoring the ball and a big game from Ashley Lewis. It's been an up-and-down year in terms of shooting efficiency for Monrovia, but as of recent, they've been able to put the ball in the hoop, which could serve them well going into this one.

Final game prediction: University vs. Sullivan

Contact reporter Devin Voss at dvoss@gannett.com, or follow him on Twitter at @DevinVoss23.

This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Previewing Monrovia's holiday girls, boys basketball tournaments