AUGUSTA — The last time the Monmouth Academy boys basketball team lost a game, it was a 54-39 decision to Madison on Jan. 6.
On Thursday night, the Mustangs kept the Bulldogs from making a repeat performance.
With a strong defensive effort — forcing 25 turnovers — No. 2 Monmouth Academy beat No. 6 Madison 51-21 in a Class C South semifinal at the Augusta Civic Center. The Mustangs, the defending Class C champions, return to the regional final for the fourth straight year.
Forward Jacob Harmon led Monmouth (16-4) with 17 points, while guard Levi Laverdiere added 11.
“It feels good (to be back in the regional final),” said Harmon, a sophomore forward. “We lost (to Madison) earlier in the year. It was a tough one, but I think it was a loss that, looking back on it, had a more positive than negative effect. It got us back on track, especially being harder defensively.”
Jacob Linkletter scored nine points for the Bulldogs (12-9).
The first quarter was back and forth, with the Mustangs holding a 12-8 lead. But a 10-0 run in the second quarter gave Monmouth some breathing room and a 20-9 halftime lead. In the final three quarters, the Mustangs outscored the Bulldogs 39-13.
“I was really pleased with our defensive execution,” said Monmouth coach Wade Morrill. “We had a little bit better of a defensive game plan this time. When we played (Madison) the first time, in the second half, they scored 42 points on us … I just reminded our boys that defense and rebounding are what travels (in games).”
How did they get there?
• Defense: The Mustangs consistently played tough defense on Madison, forcing 11 turnovers in the first half and 14 in the second half.
• Bashing the boards: Harmon and fellow forward Bingham Abbott, who earned a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, were able to box out Madison throughout the evening, despite the Bulldogs holding a height advantage.
“We knew (Nathan) Cornforth and (Ethan) Linkletter were two of the taller bigs that we’ve played this year in the (Mountain Valley Conference), certainly in C South,” Harmon said. “We knew if we didn’t play big, they would eat us up. We needed to have that edge to even compete with them.”
“I thought we did really well on the offensive glass,” added Morrill. “I think Jacob and Bingham pounded that really well.”
• Excellent memory: Morrill made it a point to show the Mustangs video of the loss to Madison on Jan. 6 as a source of inspiration.
“We watched that second half before practice (on Wednesday) before practice, when we gave up 42 (points in the half),” Harmon said. “That got us a little fired up, and I think practice carried over into today. Coach (Morrill) did a good job switching up some of the matchups, but I certainly think we brought a lot of energy.”
“After that Jan. 6 game, we were 5-4, and I think a lot of people were counting us out,” Morrill said. “A lot of people didn’t think we had what it took to come back here. We’ve used that as motivation every day since.”
Statistical leaders
Monmouth Academy: Jacob Harmon (17 points, five rebounds), Levi Laverdiere (11 points), Bingham Abbott (10 points, 10 rebounds)
Madison: Jacob Linkletter (nine points)
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