Blair's Marcus Spruill (left) and Jonathan Henderson prepare to battle for rebound
(Monrovia) – Jonathan Henderson’s off balance 15 foot shot at the regulation buzzer sent the game into overtime and propelled Monrovia to a 64-57 win over Blair in the extra session Friday night. With the win Monrovia improved to 3-2 in the Rio Hondo League while Blair fell to 3-2 also.
Blair had the advantage most of the way the way carrying leads into the second, third and fourth quarters. The Vikings were up by as many as ten in the third quarter but Monrovia rallied to cut it to four at 37-33 at the end of three. The Cats then stayed within striking distance in the fourth behind Jamel Bars before Henderson’s miracle shot found the net as the horn sounded.
Marsalis Ellison knocked down a pair of free throws to give Blair a 51-49 lead with 4.3 seconds left. Monrovia then inbounded the ball and raced down the floor. The ball went to Henderson on the right wing. Henderson leaped in the air and tossed it a high arcing shot that caused the building to explode as the Wildcats swarmed Henderson. For a moment the fans and apparently the Monrovia players thought the shot was a three pointer ending the game. But the officials quickly restored order and ruled it was a two and it was on to overtime.
Blair couldn’t find a rhythm in OT missing seven of 10 shots. Meanwhile Nick Long converted seven of eight free throws for the Wildcats to put the game away.
Marcus Bagnerise did most of the damage for Blair. The 6’7” junior scored 27 points including 16 in the second half plus overtime. Bagnerise was dominant inside scoring nearly half of the Vikings points. Ellison finished with 13 points but no other Blair player scored more than six points.
Bars tossed in eight points in the first quarter, and topped all Monrovia scorers with 25. Henderson added 12 with the biggest one coming when the fourth quarter clock hit zero.
Blair scored the first two baskets in the third quarter to go up 35-25 and it looked like the Vikings might break it open. But Monrovia hung around long enough to make a final push in the fourth.
B 15 16 6 14 6 57
M 14 11 8 18 13 64
B – Jasper Cobb 6, Ellison 13, Bagnerise 27, Paris Hicks 2, Ceandre Cade 1, Marcus Spruill 4, Lance Green 4.
M – Derrin Jenkins 6, Michael Carter 2, Long 7, Duncan Machi 5, Carl Daniels 6, Henderson 12, Bars 25, Brian Stiver 1.
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