Monrovia heads to semifinals

PUTNAMVILLE -- The Monrovia Bulldogs picked up their eighth win of the season Wednesday after knocking off South Vermillion, 65-54, in the first round of the Class 2A South Putnam Sectional.

The Bulldogs are 8-15 this season and will take on Cloverdale in the sectional semifinals Friday at 8 p.m. South Vermillion finished the season at 7-16.

The Wildcats had a 17-14 lead after the first quarter, but the Bulldogs outscored South Vermillion, 14-8, in the second frame to take a 28-25 lead into halftime.

Monrovia extended its lead to four, 44-40, through three quarters en route to the win. The Bulldogs scored 21 points in the final period while limiting South Vermillion to 14.

Damon Speck led the Bulldogs with 22 points, including 10-of-11 from the free throw line. As a team, Monrovia was 21-of-25 from the charity stripe in the win.

Andrew Grismore also had 15 points for the Bulldogs while Zach Smith finished with 19 points.

South Vermillion was paced by Cole Milam's 20 points while Mitch Fisher finished with 14.

The Bulldogs' win Wednesday also avenged a 76-65 win by South Vermillion on Dec. 27.

Cloverdale also picked up a 65-58 victory over Cascade Wednesday to advance to the semifinals to face the Bulldogs.

In the regular season, Cloverdale defeated Monrovia, 76-52, on Dec. 15.

At Putnamville

Monrovia 14 14 16 21 -- 65

S. Vermillion 17 8 15 14 -- 54

Monrovia -- Speck 6 10-11 22, Johnson 0 0-0 0, Dirlam 0 0-0 0, Martin 0 0-0 0, Sampson 1 1-2 3, Smith 8 3-4 19, Connor 2 2-2 6, Shuee 0 0-0 0, Grismore 5 5-6 15. Totals 22 FG, 21-25 FT, 65 TP.

South Vermillion -- Ashby 2 0-0 6, Milam 6 7-9 20, Byram 1 0-0 2, Decker 1 0-0 2, Mumaw 2 2-2 8, Fisher 7 0-2 14, Rowe 0 0-0 0, Harpenau 1 0-0 2, Alfke 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 FG, 9-13 FT, 54 TP.

3-pt. FG -- MHS 0, SV 5 (Mumaw, Ashby 2). Total Fouls -- MHS 14, SV 20. Fouled Out -- None.

Next Games -- Monrovia (8-15) will face Cloverdale in the South Putnam Sectional Semifinals Friday 8 p.m. South Vermillion finished the season at 7-16.