'D' is key; MHS rolls

     Defense has become a strong point for the Monticello High School girls basketball team as the season winds toward late January.

     After allowing just 15 points in a home win over Camanche Jan. 8, the Panthers gave up 22 at North Cedar Jan. 15, winning 56-22 over the Knights.

     “We have switched up our defense to make better use of our players,” Monticello coach Donnie Kremer said. “They have grasped the concept very well. This has been a huge reason why we are in so many games right now.”

     At North Cedar, the Panthers (9-5, 10-5) held the Knights to just three points in the first quarter, while building an 18-3 lead. Though North Cedar did score nine points in the second quarter and eight in the third, it managed just two points in the final eight minutes as Monticello pulled away.

     The Panthers led 30-12 at halftime, and had several players contribute throughout the game. Gabrielle Steiner scored 15 points, shooting 6-for-8 from the field, including 3-for-4 from three-point range.

     Maddie Fellinger had 14 points with a 6-for-12 shooting night, and Gabrielle Guilford scored 11 while shooting 5-for-6 from the field. Steiner and Guilford came off the bench.

     “Gabrielle Steiner and Gabrielle Guilford have really come on lately,” coach Kremer said. “They have provided a huge spark of energy. All together, each and every person is contributing in one way or another.”

     Jordan Kuper had six points and 11 rebounds. Tori McDonald made five assists. As a team the Panthers had 16 steals, led by Fellinger, Steiner and Guilford with three apiece.

     The Panthers were supposed to play at West Branch on Friday, Jan. 18, but like most games around the area, that was postponed due to a snowstorm. It will be made up Thursday, Jan. 31.

Jan. 15

Monti        18 12  14  12 – 56

N. Cedar    3    9   8    2  – 22

     MONTICELLO (56) – Tori McDonald 0-1 0-0 0, Maddie Fellinger 6-12 0-0 14, Sydney Hansen 1-9 0-0 2, Karli Recker 1-2 0-0 2, Jordan Kuper 3-9 0-0 6, Gabrielle Steiner 6-8 0-0 15, Gabrielle Guilford 5-6 0-1 11, Carly Hayen 1-5 2-4 4, Rebekah Prull 1-2 0-0 2, Emily Schlarmann 0-2 0-0 0, DeLainy Fellinger 0-0 0-0 0, Lydia Recker 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-56 2-5 56.

     NORTH CEDAR (22) – Sam Koth 0-3 0-0 0, Fiona Raney 1-8 0-0 3, Jenna Syring 4-9 0-0 8, Nicole Sander 1-11 1-6 3, Kayla Syring 2-5 0-0 5, Kendall Smith 1-2 2-3 4, Hailey Fall 0-3 0-0 0, Kiley Chapman 0-1 0-0 0, Sarah Hansen 0-0 0-0 0, Paige Rouse 0-0 0-0 0, Aubrie Pruess 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 9-42 3-9 22.

     Three-pointers: Steiner 3, Fellinger 2, Guilford; Raney.

     Rebounds: Monticello 35 (Kuper 11, Hansen 6), North Cedar 28.