Wildcats End Preseason Play With Defeat

Monrovia loses to Fullerton 57-53 before the start of Rio Hondo League play

After going 2-2 in their last four contests, all of which were games in the San Gabriel Valley Classic Tournament, Monrovia High’s varsity basketball team concluded their preseason with a home contest against the Fullerton Indians.

Despite a 3-13 overall record before the game began for Fullerton, the Indians shocked the Wildcats at Monrovia’s home gym by a score of 57-53. While certainly for Samuel-Sheeck Morris’ squad this was not the anticipated conclusion to their preseason play, the team now must adjust to league play, the time when it matters most.

Although the loss does leave a bad taste in the team’s mouth in regards to their preseason period, ultimately the 17 games played during the preseason showed several positive strides for the Wildcats. The team lost three of their first four games to begin the season, yet they eventually went on a strong run throughout December.

During the month, the team went 7-4 and they also held a three-game win streak with each of the contests being played at the Wildcat Den. Quite possibly their most resilient win throughout December was their final game of the month against the Palmdale Falcons when the Wildcats were forced to overcome a late comeback from their opponent and escape with a double-overtime win.

Along with the contests in which they proved their resiliency, it should also be considered a successful two month period for this team due to the wonders it did for team chemistry. The roster itself is full of seniors who are hopeful for a strong sendoff.

Key starters such as Grant Dickinson, Alejandro Carvajal, Arthur Duncan and Jamario Duncan were all exceptional this preseason, and each player earned “Maxpreps Player of the Game” honors at least once throughout the months of November and December. Certainly, there lies this hope that these seniors will continue to produce once they begin to play against their Rio Hondo rivals.

The Wildcats will begin league play on the road on Wednesday, Jan. 8 against Temple City. Temple City, who finished the preseason with a 10-7 overall record, split the two regular-season games against Monrovia last year and are hoping to begin their season with an impressive home victory. Tipoff will be at 7 p.m.