Monroe Hands Caldwell First Loss of Season

By Editor | January 27, 2025 |

By Julie LaFollette

The Caldwell Redskins hosted Monroe Central in a battle of state ranked teams on Friday, with the sixth ranked Seminoles winning 69-40.
“They’re good,” Caldwell Head Coach Clint Crane commented. “Their defensive pressure and their physicality is really good. We thought our guards might have a hard time handling some of that physicality since it is the first time they’ve seen it. Hopefully we can learn from it and move forward. We can’t let one loss turn into two, especially with a big one coming on Tuesday against our rival.”
The teams exchanged baskets to start the game. Then the Seminoles went on an eight-point run to take a 10-2 lead midway through the first quarter. The Redskins then closed to within one with two minutes to play in the quarter on a pair of charity tosses by Dylan Schott. Tucker Howell hit a three at the end of the quarter to give the Seminoles a 13-9 lead.
Carter Wheeldin put in a two early in the second quarter to pull to within two. Monroe took a 10-point lead on a bucket by Corbin Farnsworth and then extended the lead to 18 late in the quarter on a trey by Jacob Fogle. The Seminoles took a 36-20 lead into halftime.
The ‘Noles went on a nine-point run late in the third quarter to take a 51-28 lead with eight minutes left to play. Halfway through the fourth quarter, Monroe led 60-36 and both coaches cleared the benches and the Seminoles cruised to the 69-40 win.
Guiler Preston led the way for the Redskins with 12 points followed by Wheeldin with 10.
The Seminoles were led by Tucker Howell with 24 points and Caedyn Silva with 12.
Caldwell won the JV contest 48-36. Izic Cool led the way for the Redskins with 14 points followed by Dalton Egnot and Jake Laswell with 13 each.
The 13-1 Redskins will host cross county rival Shenandoah on Tuesday. They will travel to Monroe Central on Friday and will host Eastern on Saturday.