JV Panthers have solid efforts in 1-1 week

BOYS BASKETBALL

     The Monticello junior varsity boys basketball team turned in two strong performances this week, losing to a strong Camanche team and avenging an opening game loss by defeating Bellevue on the road. Their game against Mid-Prairie, scheduled for Jan. 12, was postponed to Jan. 31, due to weather.

     The Panthers turned in their most impressive offensive performance of the year Jan. 8 against Camanche, knocking down eight three point shots and scoring 53 points. However, Monticello ran into an even hotter Camanche Indians squad that poured in 12 three pointers on their way to a 66-53 win over the Panthers. The first half was a back-and-forth scoring contest. Monticello held a slim 27-24 halftime lead. The third quarter was a defensive disaster for Monticello as Camanche exploded for 27 points, pulling away to a 14-point lead.

     The Panthers recovered, but never closed the gap as the Indians prevailed. Riley Manternach led Monticello with 18 points.  Ty Kehoe added 14 points.

     On Friday, Monticello traveled to Bellevue to face a Comet team that dominated them 45-30 at the start of the 2018-19 season. This was an opportunity to see how the team had matured and developed. The results were impressive as the Panthers dominated the entire game posting a 46-33 win over a talented Comet team. Kehoe and Manternach again led Monticello with 15 and 14 points respectively.

     Coach Steve Rucker commented, “These two games showed how well this team is developing into Coach (Tim) Lambert’s varsity system. Camanche is an excellent team and Bellevue was a team that ran us off our own floor when we played them on Nov. 27. We still have so many areas where we need to improve, but these young men are making good progress.”

     The JV boys are now 7-5 in River Valley Conference play and 8-5 overall.

 

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