The Monroe Catholic Rams made a splash Wednesday in their first dive into the deep end.

A longtime 3A powerhouse out of Fairbanks, Monroe made a spectacular debut in the ASAA Class 4A state tournament by crushing Colony 45-30 in the quarterfinals at the Alaska Airlines Center.

It wasn’t always pretty, but it was historic – and effective. The Rams held Colony to 22 points below its season scoring average behind a fearless group that did not wilt on the big stage.

“We talk about culture. The one thing I ask my kids is ‘What is that culture?’ One thing that comes up is we will guard you,” said Monroe coach Frank Ostanik.

Just ask the Knights.

Colony managed just four points in the first half on 2-of-19 shooting.

“And they’ve got some dudes that can score. You know, they’re a problem,” Ostanik said.

Colony’s Kash Luce grabs a rebound while Jayce Underwood looks on. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report

Colony features a pair of all-state selections in Jayce Underwood and Kash Luce. Normally that’s one of the most productive 1-2 punches in the state.

On Wednesday, however, they were shut down by a dedicated group led by guards William Bast, Jett McCullough and Armani Smith, and forwards Trevor Mahler and Jack Mavencamp.

Together, they formed a formidable force.

“We have guys who are committed to defending,” Ostanik said. “We’re not the most athletic team. We don’t have a lot of length and we’re not going to win a lot of contests in the weight room. But I think our guys are committed to getting low and battling and doing what we need collectively.”

Monroe (21-5) has long been a stronghold on the hardwood and produced some all-time greats, notably Jim Hajdukovich, Scooter Bynum and Jeremiah Bailey. In 1979, the Rams beat Chuck White and the East T-birds in the state championship game before winning again in 1980 when Alaska had only one classification.

Monroe wouldn’t make a state final again until 2011 at the 3A level when Ostanik came onboard. The man who won a state title as a player in 1987 with Eielson then led the Rams to a three-peat with titles in 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Ostanik has brought a championship culture back to Monroe, but today’s Rams players don’t rely on tradition to drive them to the winner’s circle.

It’s all about the defensive intensity. Early on, Monroe showed it wasn’t backing down by picking up Underwood full court.

Colony’s Jett McCullough. Photo by Bryan Boyett/Alaska Sports Report

“I think you want to let them know from the beginning that we’re here for a fight,” Ostanik said. “We know you’re good, we have great respect for you, but we’re going to play on our toes not our heels.”

McCullough led Monroe in scoring with 11 points, Mahler collected a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, and Mavencamp chipped in nine points.

If there was one area to criticize Monroe it was a 14-of-28 effort at the foul line.

“I think in the history of basketball I doubt anyone has won shooting that bad from the free-throw line,” Ostanik said. “One of the messages to the team after I tell them how proud of them I am is to say: Can we be better?

“Because we’re going to need to be on Friday.”

ASAA/First National Bank Alaska
Class 4A Boys State Championships
At Alaska Airlines Center
Wednesday
Quarterfinals

West Valley 60, Juneau 37
East 54, ACS 30
Monroe 54, Colony 30
West 69, Dimond 63 OT
Friday
Semifinals

6:15pm (1) West Valley vs. (4) Monroe Catholic
7:45pm (3) East vs. (7) West
Consolation
9:30am (8) Juneau-Douglas vs. (5) Colony
11:00am (2) Dimond vs. (6) ACS
Saturday
7:30pm Title Game

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