Panther JV splits tight RVC games

     The Monticello junior varsity boys basketball team returned to action following the holiday break with back-to-back games on January 4 and 5, at Cascade and at home against the Iowa City Regina Regals.

     The Cascade game was a very close game throughout. Neither team had more than a five-point lead in the first half. Cascade took advantage of second shot opportunities to take a slim 23-21 halftime lead. The second half was another closely fought contest. The Panthers’ shooting hit a cold streak early in the fourth quarter. As the Cougars pulled away, Monticello switched to full court pressure. The comeback fell short as the JV lost 42-38. Ty Kehoe and Riley Manternach led the Panthers in scoring with 12 and 11 points respectively.

     Less than 24 hours later, the JV faced a strong Iowa City Regina squad at home on Saturday. The game was yet another close affair. The lead changed hands several times.  The Regals led at halftime 21-18. The teams continued to trade baskets in the third quarter as defense dominated. The Regals held 28-25 lead going into the fourth quarter. In last stanza Regina looked like it would pull away for an easy victory.

     The Regals stretched their lead to 36-28 with 4:20 remaining. The Panthers took a timeout and then Monticello’s JV put on a defensive stand for the ages. Monticello went to a full-court, trapping man-to-man press. The Panthers fought and clawed their way back, chipping away at the Regina lead and holding them scoreless the remainder of the quarter. With just 12 ticks on the clock remaining, Cade Folken rifled a cross court pass to Riley Manternach, who nailed a 21-foot three-pointer to tie the game at 36-36.

     Overtime was all Monticello as it outscored the Regals 12-7, winning in overtime 48-43. Riley Manternach led the way with a field goal and four three point goals in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead all scorers with 19 points.

     Steve Rucker commented, “At halftime we told the team, that the team that wanted to defend would win this game. I cannot remember a better defensive and defensive rebounding effort than the one these young men gave in the last four minutes of regulation. It was a great team win over a very good Regina team.”

     The JV is now 6-4 in River Valley Conference play and 7-4 overall.

– Steve Rucker, head coach