Monticello basketball teams ready for final region battles of the season

by David Boyle
News Director
The Monticello boys basketball team went 1-1 in their last two contest while the girls dropped their only game played since last report.
The Monticello high school boys basketball team fell to region rival Green River on the road on January 30 by a score of 52-38.
The Pirates held a 15-9 lead after one quarter which turned into a 22-16 lead at halftime. After three quarters Green River led 32-25 before running away in the final quarter for the final score of 52-38.
Monticello was led in the game by Curtis Bunker who finished with 17 points. Kaden Pehrson scored nine while Traken Lee had six, Mason Atwood had four and JD McDonald scored two.
Bunker also led the way on the glass collecting nine rebounds, while Atwood had seven and Lee had six.
Bunker also led the team in assists and steals with three a piece.
On February 1 the Buckaroos earned a home win 57-49 over Dolores. The Buckaroos jumped to a 14-8 lead after one quarter and pushed their lead to 28-15 at halftime. Monticello’s lead held at 49-36 after three quarters, and the Bears made up ground in the final frame but it wasn’t enough as Monticello prevailed 57-49.
Monticello was once again led by Bunker in the win who scored 13 points, but a total of four Buckaroos got into double digits as Pehrson, Atwood and Jackson Keyes all scored 11 points for the Bucks. Lee added nine while McDonald scored two.
Monticello also shot efficiently in the win with Keyes shooting an effective field goal percentage of 68.8-percent, and Bunker shooting 62.5-percent, while Lee shot 57-percent with Pehrson and Atwood shooting in the 40-percentile.
Bunker and Atwood each secured eight rebounds, while Pehrson had five, Keyes had four and McDonald and Lee each grabbing three.
Pehrson also led the way with five assists, while Kooper Nielson had four and Bunker assisted three baskets.
Lee also recorded three steals and one block to lead Monticello in those categories.
Speaking in the post-game Coach Keyes said despite defensive lapses, including foul trouble for Bunker and Atwood the team stepped up to earn the win.
“Ultimately we persevered, we made some shots, had some younger kids make some shots and a win’s a win, we need them.”
On Saturday February 3 the Monticello girls team was defeated by Bryce Valley 66-35.
Both Monticello teams hosted Pinnacle the evening of February 6, after the San Juan Record print deadline. Both teams next play on February 13 at Monument Valley High School.