Monticello boys basketball team drops game at San Juan

The Monticello boys (2-3) knew they were in for a tough test against San Juan (6-0) in Blanding on Tuesday, December 17. 

 narrative played out as cold shooting from the field and the free throw line buried the Bucks’ chances of hanging with the Broncos.

Monticello scored just five points in the opening quarter while San Juan racked up 17. 

The second quarter was slightly better; Monticello doubled their scoring, but still trailed 34-16 at the half.

Interestingly, the much taller and lengthier San Juan squad – already sporting a sizable lead – came out of the half in a trapping half court press. 

The Bucks struggled against it, committing numerous turnovers that led to easy Bronco hoops and grew the lead to 63-24 by the end of the third.

MHS played closer to San Juan in the fourth quarter, but when the final horn sounded, San Juan had lapped Monticello 77-34.

You’re probably wondering how cold Monticello’s shooting actually was. It was almost as cold as it was outside the San Juan High School gym that night.

The Bucks made just 24 percent of their shots from the floor. They were 11 percent from three-point range and a paltry 36 percent from the foul line.

However, there were some surprising stats from the game. Monticello, although less-than-great in the turnover department, actually had one less than San Juan, 18-19. 

And the Bucks were only out-rebounded 28-27 by the much taller Broncos. However, that’s pretty much where the positives end.

Cedar English was the top Monticello scorer on the night with 12 points. He ended the game with four rebounds and a steal.

Dylan Bird scored nine points, hit both of the Bucks’ three-point baskets, added five rebounds, and snagged two steals.

Devin Hatch scored six points to go with his five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. 

Hyrum Johnson scored four points with four rebounds, one assist, a steal, and a block.

The Bucks (2-4) played in the Bulldog Classic in Dove Creek, CO on Friday, December 20 and Saturday, December 21 against Nucla, CO and either Whitehorse or Dove Creek.

We’ll have coverage of those games after the holidays, as well as coverage of the Bucks’ Friday, January 3 road game with the Green River Pirates.

Girls basketball

On the same night the boys were getting handled in Blanding, the Monticello girls jumped on a bus and traveled to Bayfield, CO for a tilt with the Lady Wolverines (2-2).

Just like the boys, the Lady Bucks struggled to find the hoop. In fact, Monticello only scored one bucket in the first period and found themselves down 8-2 after the opening quarter.

The second quarter was much better as the Lady Bucks matched the Lady Wolverines point for point, but still trailed 15-9 at the half.

Monticello again struggled to score in the third period and trailed 24-13 going into the final frame. In that quarter, Bayfield exploded for 17 points to defeat the Lady Bucks 41-21.

On the night, Monticello shot 16 percent from the field and 16 percent from three-point range. The girls also hit exactly 50 percent of their foul shots. 

On the positive side, Monticello out-rebounded the Lady Wolverines 41-38.

Megan Black was the top MHS scorer in the game with eight points. She also picked up eight rebounds, eight deflections, an assist and two blocks.

Rianna Shumway scored five points and led the team with nine rebounds, four steals, and one assist. 

Maddy Freestone scored a three-pointer. Jessi Slack and Avery Shumway scored a bucket apiece, and Adri Lewis made one foul shot for a point. 

The Lady Bucks (3-3) headed to Richfield for the 2A Preview with games Friday, December 20 against #3 Kanab (7-1) and Saturday, December 21 against Beaver (1-5).

We’ll have coverage of those games after the holidays, as well as coverage of the girls’ Friday, January 3 home game with the Monument Valley Cougars (5-2) who are ranked fifth in 1A.

San Juan Record

49 South Main St
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Monticello, UT 84535

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