Monticello boys take down Monument Valley on road

by David Boyle
New Director
The Monticello High School boys basketball team defeated the Monument Valley Cougars 66-49 in 1A Region 23 play on January 20 in Monument Valley.
The Buckaroos built a 12-5 lead through one quarter and extended the lead to 30-10 at halftime. Monticello kept the pressure on through the third quarter, stretching their lead to 54-22.
In the fourth quarter the Cougars’ shots started falling. They poured in an impressive 27 points, but it wasn’t enough as Monticello scored 12 to close out the road win.
Monticello was led in scoring on the night by Tommy Sheeran who finished the game with 28 points. Easton Young scored 16 for the Buckaroos while fellow seniors Landon Ewart and Donovan Atwood each scored seven points.
JD McDonald finished with six points to go along with several steals and Curtis Bunker chipped in two points off the bench.
Monument Valley was led by senior Doreon Chee who finished with a game-high 29 points. In a postgame interview Chee said his game has been developing for a long time.
“Growing up my dad made me play basketball a lot. He’d practice with me every day, every time I came back from school. [We also have team]  practice too and [I] even [practice on] weekends,” Chee stated.
Fellow senior Keshawn Atene had 11 points in the game. Atene said the game helped break a bit of a slump. “The past few games I’ve been having a hard time but I feel like tonight I executed most of [my layups].”
Melias Cly scored six points for the Cougars while Joshua Hicks and Braxton Goodshield each scored two.
Monticello improved to 6-7 on the year and is ranked 14th in the 1A RPI. Monticello hosted Dove Creek on January 24, too late for our print deadline.
The Buckaroos next play on Tuesday, January 31 when they host the Pinnacle Panthers.
Monument Valley fell to 4-9 on the year and is ranked 16th in the 1A RPI. The Cougars hosted Pinnacle and Rock Point January 24 and 25, also after our print deadline.
Monument Valley travels to Montezuma Creek this Friday, January 27 for the first Battle of the Drum matchup of the basketball season against Whitehorse.