Basketball Game Preview: Monsignor Pace Spartans vs. Martin County Tigers

The Monsignor Pace Spartans will head out to face off against the Martin County Tigers at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Monsignor Pace has been getting the ball to fall more lately as they've increased their point totals each of their last three games.

Monsignor Pace is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They blew past Immaculata-La Salle 74-45 on Thursday. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest victory the Spartans have posted against the Royal Lions since January 16, 2015.

Easton Gelin was a one-man wrecking crew for Monsignor Pace as he went 10 for 14 on his way to 24 points in addition to seven boards and three steals. Gelin is trending in the right direction considering he's improved his point production for three straight games. The team also got some help courtesy of Jamaal Gibson, Jr, who posted 11 points along with seven assists and seven rebounds.

Monsignor Pace smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 16 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least eight offensive boards in five consecutive contests.

Meanwhile, Martin County fought the good fight in their overtime match against Vero Beach on Wednesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Indians by a score of 67-65. The loss was a bit of a surprise, as the Tigers came into the game with a sizable advantage in MaxPreps' Florida basketball rankings (they are ranked 29th, while the Indians are ranked 171st).

Monsignor Pace's win bumped their record up to 4-17. As for Martin County, their loss ended a ten-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 17-3.

Monsignor Pace was dealt a bruising 95-59 defeat at the hands of Martin County in their previous meeting back in November of 2019. Thankfully for Monsignor Pace, Ryan Davis (who dropped a double-double on 20 points and 11 boards) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.