Basketball Recap: Anson Comes Up Short

Anson has been a dominant force so far, but they're in the middle of a mini-slump at the moment. They lost to the Monroe Redhawks at home by a 57-42 margin on Tuesday. The matchup marked the Bearcats' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.

When it comes to explaining why Anson lost, don't look at Jayden Little. Despite the final result, he went 9 of 18 en route to 24 points in addition to five boards and four steals. Little has been hot for a while, having posted two or more steals the last 36 times he's played. Taviane Robinson was another key player, putting up six points along with nine rebounds and six assists.

Even though they lost, Anson smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 12 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive boards in 36 consecutive games dating back to last season.

Monroe's win was a true team effort, with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Bryson Simpkins, who went 8 for 14 on his way to 22 points and five boards. Another player making a difference was Jysen Shepherd, who went 5 of 8 en route to 13 points.

Anson's defeat dropped their record down to 13-7. As for Monroe, their record is now 8-2.

A feisty cat fight is on tap when the Anson Bearcats challenge the Piedmont Panthers at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. As for Monroe, they won't have much time to rest: their next match is against Parkwood at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Monroe has been dominant on offense recently, having racked up an incredible 171 points over their last three contests.