Despite delay, Panthers celebrate State season
A season that featured Monticello’s first State Boys Basketball Tournament appearance in 60 years was celebrated at the Panthers’ annual awards event Aug. 11 in the MHS Commons.
The Panthers finished 21-3 under head coach Tim Lambert, including a 17-1 record in River Valley Conference play, which earned them a share of the North Division championship.
Monticello earned a trip to State with a one-point substate victory over Dyersville Beckman. The Panthers lost a state quarterfinal game to Camanche at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
The awards night was delayed several months due to restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A list of Panther awards follows.
MHS BOYS BASKETBALL
BANQUET AWARDS
All-State Awards
Iowa Print Sports Writers Association: Justin Recker, junior, Second Team.
Iowa Preps: Justin Recker, Class 2A and Junior Teams. Luke Lambert, Junior Team. Tate Petersen, Freshman Team.
Prep Hoops: Justin Recker, Class 2A Team. Tate Petersen, Class 2A Team.
Substate Awards
Iowa Basketball Coaches Association: Luke Lambert, Justin Recker.
River Valley
All-Conference
Elite Team: Luke Lambert, junior; Justin Recker, junior.
North Division Team: Ty Kehoe, junior; Connor Lambert, junior; Tate Petersen, freshman.
Honorable Mention: Devin Kraus, senior.
Team Awards
Most Valuable Player: Justin Recker, junior.
Most Improved: Ty Kehoe, junior.
Best Defensive Player: Luke Lambert, junior.
Craig Welter Leadership Award: Jeff Carlson, senior.
Captains’ Awards: Jeff Carlson, senior; Luke Lambert, junior; Tyler Luensman, junior; Justin Recker, junior.
Seniors’ Awards: Jeff Carlson, Cade Folken, Devin Kraus, Ethan Martensen.
Academic
All-Conference
Seniors: Jeff Carlson, Cade Folken, Devin Kraus.
Juniors: Brady Cleeton, Ty Kehoe, Luke Lambert, Tyler Luensman, Riley Manternach, Justin Recker, Grahm Schneiter.
Freshman: Tate Petersen.