Augusta witnessed an intense matchup as the No. 2 Monmouth boys basketball team triumphed over the No. 7 Telstar Rebels, securing a 54-40 victory in the Class D South quarterfinals on March 16, 2024. The game showcased Monmouth’s skill in executing free throws, a crucial factor in their win.
Despite Telstar’s persistent efforts, including a rally that brought them within three points at 42-39 midway through the fourth quarter, Monmouth maintained control. Jacob Harmon played a pivotal role, sinking two free throws that pushed the lead to 44-39 with just over three minutes remaining. Harmon finished the game with 12 points and an impressive 15 rebounds, contributing significantly to Monmouth’s performance.
Levi Laverdiere emerged as the standout player for the Mustangs, leading the team with 19 points and consistently delivering from the line. Monmouth’s overall success at the foul line was evident, as they converted 21 free throws compared to Telstar’s six. This disparity proved to be a decisive factor in the outcome of the game.
For Telstar, Alex Dougherty was a notable contributor, scoring 13 points with nine of those coming in a strong third quarter. Connor Deprey also finished with 13 points, but the Rebels could not overcome Monmouth’s lead, trailing 36-32 at the end of the third quarter.
Madison Defeats Buckfield in Another Quarterfinal Clash
In a separate quarterfinal matchup, the third-seeded Madison Bulldogs faced off against the sixth-seeded Buckfield Bucks, emerging victorious with a 68-53 scoreline. This game highlighted a well-rounded scoring effort from the Bulldogs, who improved their record to 13-6.
Finn Haynie led Madison’s charge with 19 points, while Brayden Furbush contributed 15 points. Davyn Nichols added 14 points, and Jacob Linkletter rounded out the scoring with 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. The Bulldogs built a commanding lead, up 37-23 at halftime.
Buckfield attempted to close the gap, particularly after Trenton Haskell scored six of his 18 points early in the third quarter, bringing the score to 44-36. Nate Thompson made his mark for Buckfield with a double-double, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome Madison’s solid performance.
The results from these quarterfinals set the stage for an exciting continuation of the Class D South tournament, showcasing the talent and determination of high school athletes in the region.
