Panther JV heads into break at 10-0

     With a pair of wins, the Monticello junior varsity girls’ basketball team headed into the holiday break undefeated at 10-0, including 9-0 against River Valley Conference opponents.

     The Panthers played host to Northeast of Goose Lake Dec. 18, and won 42-29, thanks largely to a 35-14 rebounding edge.

     Bronwyn Hodge scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Karli Recker had 10 points, and Piper Hansen added eight. Lydia Recker and Mallory Steiner had three points apiece, and Kayla Simmons added one. DeLainy Fellinger had one point, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists.

     On Dec. 21, Monticello traveled to Durant and earned a 35-29 win. Karli Recker was 3-for-3 from three-point range and finished with 11 points, three assists and three steals. Lydia Recker had eight points, four assists and four steals. Hodge had eight points and seven rebounds. Fellinger contributed six points and five rebounds. Hansen added two points.

     Rebounding was a factor in that game as well; the Panthers dominated the boards 27-13.

     “Those were two very tough games,” Monticello coach Chuck Welsch said. “We needed to play hard in all four quarters, and we worked together on defense.”