MONROE — Brandon Bassett drained five 3-pointers in Monroe’s 68-57 victory over Belleville on Monday, Feb. 6. Bassett was due for a big game, as he had just five threes in the previous five games.

“He was frustrated because he saw the season stats,” Monroe head coach Brian Bassett said. “I told him, ‘Buddy, you are due. I know how you can shoot. You are due for a five, six, seven 3-point shot game.’ I’ve seen him do it before. I’ve seen him in games make six in a row on six straight possessions. I have the confidence that he can make it. As long as he has confidence in himself, he will be fine.”

Brandon Bassett’s first three didn’t come until just under eleven minutes in the first half, though. It was Keatin Sweeney who drained the first 3-pointer of the game, putting Monroe on the board three minutes in. 

It took Belleville another minute to find the basket, but the Wildcats did so in two straight possessions to take the lead. A bucket from Ryan Mathiason put the Cheesemakers back on top for but 30 seconds, as Jack Erickson sank a three on the next possession. 

Tucker Markham tied the game at seven, setting the stage for Brandon Bassett. George Brukwicki drove to the basket, drawing multiple defenders, then kicked it out to Brandon Bassett for the three to break the tie. Brukwicki was rewarded with his own basket on the next possession.

The Wildcats grabbed the lead again, though, with a pair of free throws from DeMarcus Conner and fast-break basket from Andrew Ace. Mathiason returned the favor with two free throws of his own, but a three from Kaden DeSmet kept momentum on the side of Belleville. 

A Wildcat full-court press slowed Monroe’s offense, forcing a timeout call from Brian Bassett. Out of the break, Markham picked up his second foul, putting him on the bench. Although Brandon Bassett’s second three gave the Cheesemakers a slim lead, Carter Scholey took it right back.

Enter Keegan Dahmen. The junior had played in just five games previous but made the most of his moment, draining a 3-pointer.

“Shout out to Keegan Dahmen. He had a turnover but then he made a three,” Brian Bassett said. “That’s why he’s in there. He’s shooting lights out at practice. We are trying to get him looks. Today, he got a good look and he nailed it.”

Despite the excitement off the bench, Belleville went on a 7-3 run to close out the half. DeSmet sank a three, followed by back-to-back baskets from Ace and Scholey. James Seagreaves was able to tie the game at 26, though, with a free throw and fast-break basket.

Out of the half, Erickson was the hot hand for the Wildcats, scoring their first four points. Brandon Bassett had the better touch, though, as his third three of the night put Monroe up 31-30 — a lead from which they’d never look back. 

“My teammates, they were looking for me big time today,” Brandon Bassett said. “I was just thinking, ‘The ball is going in.’ I’ve been struggling lately, so it felt good.”

Seagreaves then drove down the court and through the paint for a slam dunk. With another basket from Mathiason, the Cheesemakers took a 35-30 lead.

Frustration started to set in for Belleville, as Nathan Meier picked up his third foul. The Wildcats called a timeout to reset, but Monroe kept its foot on the gas.

Mathiason passed to Seagreaves in the post for two, Brukwicki stopped and popped at the free-throw line and then dished it to Brandon Bassett for three. After a series of calls that went in favor of Monroe, Belleville head coach TJ Zweifel complained too much and got T’ed up. 

Brandon Bassett went to the line where he made both shots, followed by a Cheesemaker possession. On the year, Brandon Basset is shooting 89% from the charity stripe, having missed just two free throws.

“I love it,” Brandon Bassett said of the opportunity. “It’s a good feeling knowing my team can trust me on those.”

The technical foul began a 9-2 run for Monroe. After a basket from Jake Fahey, Mathiason drew a foul on Everett Clark. At the charity stripe, Mathiason sank both shots. Although the Cheesemakers picked up three fouls in a span of 30 seconds, Brandon Bassett kept the scoring up with his fifth three of the game. Sweeney then cut to the basket for two points.

After a bonus free throw from DeSmet, Seagreaves grabbed his own rebound and put it back in for two points, giving the Cheesemakers a 16-point lead. 

With just under six minutes left, Mathiason picked up his fourth foul, joining Markham and Wiegel who also had four fouls.

“We could have folded,” Brian Bassett said of the team’s foul trouble. “We came out big. I thought we put the gas down and did some good things.” 

Markham went to the line for bonus at the four-minute mark, making both of his shots. Sweeney, too, made a bonus free throw. For the final two minutes, all but two points were scored at the charity stripe. Monroe went 4-for-6, while Belleville was 4-for-4. 

Brandon Bassett finished the game with 17 points and five 3-pointers. He was 2-for-2 at the free-throw line. Seagreaves recorded a double-double with 14 points and 21 rebounds — 17 of which were defensive. Brukwicki tallied nine points with a team-high five assists, while Mathiason and Sweeney scored eight points each.

MADISON COUNTRY DAY 67, JUDA 42

JUDA — In a battle of winless teams, Madison Country Day prevailed on Monday, Feb. 6.

The Hawks had four players in double figures, led by Luke Shepley with 15 points. Conversely, the Panthers had just one player score double digits in Blake Adkins with 10 points. Jayden Brown trailed with nine points, while Erik Woodward and Braydon Steinmann had eight points each.

In other local boys basketball, Pecatonica fell to Warren 59-38. Argyle traveled to Southwestern, where the Orioles lost 77-45.