Monmouth Beats Telstar 54-40 in Class D South Quarterfinal

Augusta, Maine – The No. 2 seed Monmouth boys basketball team secured a solid victory over No. 7 Telstar, winning 54-40 in the Class D South quarterfinals on March 9, 2024. Monmouth’s ability to convert crucial free throws in the final moments proved decisive in maintaining their lead and advancing in the tournament.

Telstar, with a record of 6-13, made a strong effort, narrowing the gap to 42-39 in the fourth quarter. However, Monmouth responded effectively as Jacob Harmon stepped to the line and sank two free throws, pushing the score to 44-39 with just 3:20 left on the clock. Harmon contributed significantly with five points in the final quarter, demonstrating his importance to the team’s performance.

The Mustangs, now 14-5 for the season, finished the game with an impressive total of 21 free throws, while Telstar managed only six. Levi Laverdiere was the standout player for Monmouth, scoring 19 points, while Harmon not only added 12 points but also grabbed 15 rebounds.

The Rebels showed resilience throughout the game, with Alex Dougherty scoring nine of his 13 points in the third quarter. Connor Deprey also made a notable contribution, finishing with 13 points. Despite trailing 36-32 after three quarters, Telstar fought back but ultimately fell short.

In another quarterfinal matchup, the third-seeded Madison Bulldogs defeated the sixth-seeded Buckfield Bucks 68-53. Madison improved to 13-6 with a well-rounded scoring effort. Finn Haynie led the Bulldogs with 19 points, followed closely by Brayden Furbush with 15 points. Davyn Nichols added 14 points, while Jacob Linkletter contributed 12 points along with a team-high eight rebounds.

Madison set the tone early, establishing a 37-23 lead by halftime. Buckfield, now 8-11 for the season, made a push in the third quarter, with Trenton Haskell scoring six of his 18 points to close the gap to 44-36. Nate Thompson recorded a double-double for Buckfield, finishing with 12 points and 12 rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome Madison’s advantage.

Both Monmouth and Madison will look to build on their successes as they advance through the tournament, showcasing the competitive spirit of high school basketball in Maine.