Hearing from the Panthers on State, team chemistry and more

     All 16 members of the Monticello High School boys basketball team were asked a few questions before a practice last week, as they prepared for the Panthers’ third straight state tournament appearance.

     Each player was asked:

     • What do you like most about playing for this team?

     • What does it mean to you to be going to the state tournament?

     • What are your favorite on-court and off-court memories of this season so far?

     For brevity’s sake, the Express chose one answer from each of the players. Here’s what they had to say.

What does it mean to you to be going to the state tournament?

Lucas Bartachek, senior

     “It means a lot, I think mostly because with the group of guys we lost last year, nobody thought we’d come back and be here (practicing for State), but we made it.”

Eian Weber, senior

     “Obviously it’s a big deal, but we’re looking to go do something no other Panther team has ever done before.”

Austin Kurt, junior

     “I think it’s really great we’ve been able to do it for the past three years, but obviously we don’t think we’re done yet. We want to win the whole thing.”

Tate Petersen, junior

     “It feels great. Obviously we’re not done yet, though. We’re going to try to get down there and win a couple games, and hopefully win State.”

Peyton Schilling, sophomore

     “It means a lot, especially doing it three years in a row. We’ve got a whole new team, and it means a lot more making it this year, because everyone doubted us.”

Jack Lambert, freshman

     “A lot. Everyone in my family has gone (to State), so it just feels like everything is off my shoulders now.”

What are your favorite on-court and off-court memories of this season so far?

Grant Hospodarsky, senior

     “(Off the court), all those little in-between moments, in-between games, before games, after games, just moments like that you come to appreciate, especially after it’s done. On the floor, just that substate win.”

Caleb Sauser, senior

     “On the court was at substate. That’s something we’ve worked for all season, and it finally happened. (Off the court), I like the Bench Mob posts on Instagram. Grant does a good job with those, and they’re always funny.”

Chesney Capron, junior

     “Off the court, team bonding at Tate’s house after the substate win. That was pretty nice. On the court, definitely when Preston dunked it (at the end of the substate win).

Gage Guilford, junior

     “Probably Peyton, in the last game when he hit that big three that changed the game. And off the court, going to people’s houses and having fun with the team.”

Cole Welter, sophomore

     “Off the court, hanging out with my friends, like after the substate game at Tate’s house. On the court was when we won substate. After Preston’s dunk, everyone went crazy.”

What do you like most about playing for this team?

Trey Kuper, senior

     “The coaches and the whole environment all together. We have a really good team that supports each other well, and the coaches really make us strive to do our best.”

Cord Nietert, junior

     “It’s just a fun group to be around. I really enjoy coming to practice every day. It’s always something new. And it’s really fun.”

Ian Temple, junior

     “We’re all really close, we have a good connection, so whenever we’re on the court together, it’s really fun. We just have a good time. And we’re pretty good at it, too.”

Preston Ries, sophomore

     “Just the fun experiences we have and the success we have on and off the court. And how much we can bond together, and how well we mesh.”

Carson Lambert, freshman

     “Being able to have fun and still get stuff accomplished at the same time.”