JV tops MV, falls twice

Junior varsity

     The Monticello junior varsity boys basketball team lost two conference games during the past week, and gained a non-conference win over traditional rival Maquoketa Valley.

     Last Tuesday, Jan. 24, the Panthers hosted North Cedar. The Panther offense was productive, but defensively Monticello had no answer for the Knights’ offense. After a strong second quarter, the Panthers only trailed by just one at halftime, 20-19. However, North Cedar scored 19 third quarter points and played Monticello even in the fourth quarter to earn a 52-43 win. Will Rieniets and Kegan Arduser led Monticello with 15 and 14 points respectively.

     Monticello turned its fortunes around on Thursday and dominated traditional rival Maquoketa Valley. The Panthers used full court pressure to overwhelm the Wildcats 30-10 in the first quarter. The Panthers then settled in defensively and shut down Maquoketa Valley’s offense. The Panthers substituted liberally and pulled away to a 54-22 win. Arduser poured in 17 points for Monticello. Daltyn Kramer added 12 points in the win.

     The game at Durant on Friday was perhaps the most frustrating loss of the year for the JV Panthers. Monticello played solid defense for all four quarters. However, Monticello’s offense could not muster anything during the entire game. Monticello’s shooting was ice cold throughout. So despite a good defensive effort that held Durant to just 32 points, the Panthers could only score 29 points in a disappointing three-point loss. No Panther scored in double figures.

     The Panthers are 5-9 in the conference, 7-10 overall.

Seventh grade

     Four games, against two schools, yielded two wins and two losses for Monticello’s seventh-grade boys basketball teams last week.

     The Panthers played host to Camanche Jan. 23. Monticello Red lost 70-18, and Monticello Black won 17-11.

     At Cascade Jan. 26, Monticello Red lost 45-19, and Monticello Black won 12-10.

     “The kids have shown improvement from the first couple of games,” Monticello coach Joe Steen said. “As we move along in the season, the kids are getting more confident. We just need to stay positive and work hard.”