Union's rallies end season for Panthers in semis


Rylee Warthen of Monticello (41) looks to pass during the regional semifinal game Feb. 15 at Union of LaPorte City. (Photos by Pete Temple)

Maddie Fellinger of Monticello holds the ball in the Union game.

Lauren Ries of the Panthers looks to attack the Union defense.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Sports Editor

     Monticello spotted Union a lead, made several attempts to cut into it, but wound up with a 54-41 loss in the Class 3A regional semifinals Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Union’s home gym in LaPorte City.

     The Knights took their first lead midway through the first quarter, and led throughout, putting an end to the Panthers’ 14-9 season.

     “Union did a good job of executing their offense and converting our turnovers into points every time,” Monticello coach Donnie Kremer said. “They were a senior-dominated team, and they made us pay when we turned the ball over. They also shot the ball very well from the field.”

     Monticello took an early 4-2 lead, but Union went on a 9-0 run to go up 11-4. By the end of the first quarter, the Knights led 17-11.

     The margin varied from six to 11 points in the second quarter before the Panthers went into halftime trailing 27-19.

     The Panthers made their best comeback effort late in the third quarter. They were down 31-24 with under three minutes left in the period, but consecutive baskets by Lauren Ries and Rylee Warthen trimmed the margin to three with 1:07 left.

     “We changed up our defense to stop the high-low attack they were doing,” Kremer said. “We were able to break down their zone pretty well in the second half and get easy looks at the basket.”

     But a 14-6 run by Union from late in the third quarter to midway through the fourth gave the hosts a 47-36 lead, and the closest Monticello could come after that was 10 points down.

     “I was very pleased at how hard we played,” the coach said. “We never gave up. We really were able to get anything we wanted on the offensive end. Our 1-3-1 (defense) caused them some problems, but at times we got caught watching too much and not reacting.”

     Monticello had a balanced scoring attack, with Taylor McDonald and Lauren Ries scoring nine points apiece; Shay Stephen and Maddie Fellinger getting seven each; and Jordan Kuper adding six. Stephen had seven rebounds. Ries had five assists, and Stephen made four. Stephen also had two steals.

     The 14-9 season record for the Panthers included an 11-6 mark in the River Valley Conference.

     “Honestly I thought we overachieved this season,” Kremer said. “We were predicted to finish fourth on our side (division) and we ended up tied for second. We beat some contenders that not many people thought we would.”

     It was the final game for seniors Shay Stephen, Rylee Warthen and Jacqueline Petersen.

     “It has been a wonderful opportunity to coach such great kids,” Kremer said. “Each one made valuable contributions to the program.”

     As for next year, the coach said, “We have a lot of players coming back with valuable experience, so the future looks bright. I believe next year could be an exciting year. The amount of dedication from now to next season will determine what the future holds.”

 

Feb. 15

Class 3A, Region 7

Semifinal

(at LaPorte City)

Monti   11    8  12 10 – 41

Union   17 10  12 15 – 54

     MONTICELLO (41) – Taylor McDonald 3-9 1-2 9, Shay Stephen 3-5 0-2 7, Lauren Ries 3-8 2-2 9, Maddie Fellinger 3-6 0-1 7, Jordan Kuper 2-3 2-4 6, Jacqueline Petersen 0-0 0-0 0, Rylee Warthen 1-4 1-2 3, Maddie Lambert 0-1 0-0 0, Caitlyn Cruise 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 15-36 6-13 41.

     UNION (54) – Courtney Powell 4-10 3-4 11, Maggie Driscol 2-6 3-4 8, Jordyn Nagel 4-7 1-2 13, Jackie Barz 2-2 2-2 6, Kaeli Block 7-10 0-0 14, Peyton Parker 1-1 0-0 2, Justine Nagel 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-36 9-12 54.

     Three-pointers: McDonald 2, Stephen, Ries, Fellinger; Nagel 4, Driscol.

     Rebounds: Union 19, Monticello 18 (Warthen 7, Ries 3).

 

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