Panthers pull away from North Cedar

     The Monticello High School boys basketball team is used to pulling away once it gets a big early lead.

     At North Cedar Jan. 19, the Panthers received some push-back. Monticello led 22-6 after one quarter, but the Knights battled back, outscoring the Panthers 20-10 in the second quarter to cut the margin to six points.

     A big fourth quarter finally enabled the Panthers to gain the separation they were looking for, and they went on to defeat North Cedar 66-41 in Clarence.

     Monticello coach Tim Lambert said he wasn’t surprised North Cedar didn’t roll over when it got behind early.

     “Teams get better,” Lambert said. “They have a young team, but now they’ve played half a varsity season. And we’re always going to get people’s best shot.”

     The undefeated Panthers (8-0 in the River Valley Conference North Division, 12-0 overall) rarely lose a quarter, and North Cedar outscored Monticello by 10 in the second period. The Knights were able to keep it close largely due to the play of Kael Unruh, who finished with 19 points.

     “We didn’t make many shots in the second quarter,” Monticello coach Tim Lambert said, “and that’s when the defense has to stay solid.”

     The key was the fourth quarter, when the Panthers outscored the Knights 18-2.

     “Our pressure and defense eventually wear on people,” Lambert said, “and we end up getting separation and pulling away. Luke (Lambert) hit a couple of big threes in the third quarter.That helped us steady the ship.”

     Justin Recker scored 22 points for the Panthers, shooting 10-for-14 from the field (71.4 percent). He also had seven rebounds. Luke Lambert had 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Connor Lambert had 12 point. Tate Petersen had six points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Ty Kehoe had four steals and three assists. Preston Ries and Riley Manternach each had five points off the bench.

Jan. 19

Monti   22 10 16 18 – 66

NC            6  20 13   2 – 41

     MONTICELLO (66) – Justin Recker 10-14 1-3 22, Luke Lambert 4-13 2-4 12, Connor Lambert 5-8 0-0 12, Ty Kehoe 1-2 2-2 4, Tate Petersen 2-12 2-2 6, Preston Ries 2-4 1-2 5, Riley Manternach 2-5 0-0 5, Caleb Sauser 0-0 0-0 0, Jasper Nietert 0-0 0-0 0, Grahm Schneiter 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-58 8-13 66.

     NORTH CEDAR (41) – Kael Unruh 8-12 1-1 19, Davonte Crist 2-8 0-0 5, Tyler Jackson 0-0 0-0 0, Tadan Lange 2-9 0-0 5, Jacob Sander 0-0 0-0 0, Jaxon Sander 5-8 0-0 10, Joe Condon 1-8 0-0 2, J.T. Kash 0-1 0-0 0, Nate Meyer 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-46 1-1 41.

     Three-pointers – L. Lambert 2, C. Lambert 2, Recker, Manternach; Unruh 2, Crist, Lange.

     Rebounds – Monticello 32 (Petersen 8, Recker 7, L. Lambert 7), North Cedar 29.

     Total fouls – Monticello 12, North Cedar 12.

     Assists – Monticello 25 (L. Lambert 7, Petersen 7), North Cedar 9.

     Steals – Monticello 13 (Kehoe 4, Petersen 4, L. Lambert 3), North Cedar 5.

     Turnovers – North Cedar 18, Monticello 7.