Western Christian ousts Panthers


Monticello seniors Nathan Sauser (left) and Gage Guilford hold the state participation trophy following the Panthers’ state quarterfinal loss to Western Christian March 7 at Wells Fargo Arena. (Photos by Pete Temple)

Carson Lambert of the Panthers fires a three-point shot in front of the Western Christian bench and fans.
BOYS BASKETBALL
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Sports Editor

   At halftime of Monticello’s state quarterfinal game against Western Christian March 7, the Panthers trailed by just four points, 32-28.

   The Wolfpack broke the game open in the second half, however, outscoring the Panthers 37-16 and winning 69-44 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

   A number of factors contributed to the outcome, but the biggest one was shooting. The Panthers shot just 18.5 percent from the field in the second half, and 29.8 percent for the game, while WC shot 58.3 percent from the field overall.

   “In the third quarter we got some really good looks early, and we didn’t make many of them, and they just started snowballing on offense,” Monticello coach Tim Lambert said.

   Preston Ries added: “We didn’t get it done. We didn’t make enough shots to win the game.”

   It put an end to a roller coaster of a season for the Panthers, who despite injuries and other factors made a fourth consecutive trip to the state tourney at “The Well.”

   “We had a rough season with injuries and some illnesses,” coach Lambert said after the game. “For them to even make it down here is a great accomplishment.”

   The Wolfpack controlled things in other ways. They scored 42 points in the paint, and outrebounded the Panthers 34-23.

   “They’re just so big and athletic,” the coach said. “They attack the hoop well, and we didn’t defend great. We just couldn’t get enough shots to fall, or enough stops. They’re really good.”

   Western Christian went on to win its semifinal game by 18 points, before falling in the championship game to top-seeded Central Lyon.

   In the quarterfinal game, Monticello took what would be its only lead of the game, 5-4, on a three-point basket by Carson Lambert 2:16 into the proceedings.

   WC inched to a four-point lead by quarter’s end, then opened it up to seven late in the third quarter before a pair of free throws from Carson Lambert and one free throw by Tate Petersen knocked the deficit down to four by halftime.

   “We had a couple shots to tie it,” Petersen said after the game. “But they just stayed composed and made their runs. They were the better team today.”

   “We had it to about four or five; we just couldn’t get over that hump,” a dejected Carson Lambert added.

   Chandler Pollema and Kaden Van Regenmorter of the Wolfpack combined for 11 of the team’s 14 third quarter points, as WC opened a 46-34 lead. Pollema finished with 17 points, and Kaden VanRegenmorter had 15.

   A three-point basket by Conley Schauf trimmed the margin to seven with 7:08 to go, but WC responded by outscoring the Panthers 23-5 the rest of the way.

   Preston Ries led Monticello with 17 points, Carson Lambert finished with 11, and Petersen had 10. Schauf had four points, and Ian Temple added two.

   Petersen had eight rebounds; Carson Lambert and Ries had seven apiece. Ries also had four assists. Jack Lambert made two steals.

   The Panthers finished the season with a 17-7 overall record.

   “We’re hurting for those dudes right now,” coach Lambert said of the team’s seniors. “I’m just proud as heck for them to get down here, and to do it four years in a row is pretty crazy.

   “I think our future’s bright. We have a lot of good kids coming up. We’ll just keep battling and keep trying to get back.”

 

March 7

State Class 2A

Quarterfinal

Monti  12 16    6 10 – 44

WC        16 16 14 23 – 69

     MONTICELLO (44) – Jack Lambert 0-0 0-0 0, Conley Schauf 1-2 1-2 4, Tate Petersen 4-14-1-2 10, Carson Lambert 3-11 2-2 11, Preston Ries 5-17 7-9 17, Ian Temple 1-1 0-0 2, Brady Gogel 0-0 0-0 0, Chesney Capron 0-0 0-0 0, Gage Guilford 0-0 0-0 0, Austin Kurt 0-0 0-0 0, Cord Nietert 0-1 0-0 0, Deacon Besler 0-0 0-0 0, Nathan Sauser 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 14-47 11-15 44.

     Three-pointers – C. Lambert 3, Petersen 1, Schauf 1.

     Rebounds – Western Christian 34, Monticello 23 (Petersen 8, Ries 7, C. Lambert 7).

     Assists – Western Christian 16, Monticello 7 (Ries 4).

     Steals – Western Christian 8, Monticello 4 (J. Lambert 2).

     Blocks – Western Christian 2, Monticello 0.

     Total fouls – Western Christian 17, Monticello 15.

     Turnovers – Monticello 14, Western Christian 11.

 

 

Category:

Subscriber Login