Monticello boys go 2-0 at home

Monticello boys basketball remained undefeated in region play after a couple of home games last week.
On February 1 Monticello played host to the Pinnacle Panthers of Price. Both teams had been undefeated in region play before the match-up to determine the top of the Region 23 standings.
The Panthers started the game building a 9-2 lead after the first quarter. The Buckaroos offense found its flow in the 2nd quarter as Monticello took a lead into halftime 20-11. The Panthers closed the gap after three quarters for a score of 31-24, but Monticello put their foot on the gas in the final frame to earn a 48-36 victory.
Seniors Easton Young and Tommy Sheeran each scored 14 points in the game for the Buckaroos while Junior Curtis Bunker scored 11. Seniors Landon Ewart scored six while Donovan Atwood scored four.
Just two days later Monticello hosted Green River in a game where the Pirates built a big lead that Monticello chipped away at taking the lead in the final minutes of the game in a thrilling win.
Green River jumped to a 19-10 lead after one quarter and held a 28-21 lead at halftime. After the game Coach Josh Keyes gave credit to Green River.
“I got to give it out to coach bigelow and his kids they played so stinking hard and just outplayed us in the first half.”
Following halftime Monticello came out with more urgency as after three quarters the Buckaroos narrowed the gap to a one score game 41-38.
With three minutes left in the game the teams were tied 48-48, out of timeout the Buckaroos drew up a play to give Easton Young a look from the corner who hit the shot to give Monticello a 51-48 lead. Defense prevailed the rest of the way with Monticello scoring two more points on the game with a Tommy Sheeran layup with 90 seconds remaining in the game. That basket proved to be the last as Monticello earned the 53-48 victory.
Monticello was led in scoring by Sheeran who finished with 16 points, senior Landon Ewart finished the game with 15 points including 12 in teh second half.
Speaking after the game senior Ewart shared his mindset after halftime.
“I just realized that I’m going to be the one who’s going to have to turn the game around, me and some of the other seniors. So I decided I needed to bring more energy and start actually giving it my all. I knew I could go harder so I went and tried harder the second half and I think it paid off.”
Seniors Atwood and Young each contributed 10 points on the game as Monticello remained undefeated in region play.
Monticello played at Whitehorse on February 7 after the press deadline. The Buckaroos next play on Tuesday February 14 at home against Monument Valley for senior night.