Monticello High School boys basketball team gets exciting overtime win at North Sevier

The Monticello boys basketball team began and ended the week on the road with a couple Region 16 games against the Altamont Longhorns Tuesday, February 2 and the North Sevier Wolves Friday, February 5.

Two weeks prior Monticello had their way with Altamont and came away with a 53-45 home win. But they knew returning home from the Basin with a win would be a little more difficult.

And difficult it was. The Longhorns shot out to a 16-10 first quarter lead. Monticello steadied themselves with a big second quarter, outscoring the home team by five to only trail by one at the half 29-28.

It looked like the Bucks were right in the game until a couple of 12-6 quarters doomed them. The Longhorns doubled up Monticello in both the third and fourth quarters to take the region win 53-40.

Only one Monticello player, Cedar English, scored in double figures with 15 points in the game. He had a good night from three-point range, making three shots from distance while adding six rebounds, four assists, and a steal.

Cory Bunker flirted with double figures, scoring nine points with a three-pointer, six rebounds, and a steal. Devin Hatch scored six points followed by Joe Boyle, who made one three on his way to five points.

Hatch had four rebounds and a steal and Boyle added an assist and a steal. Easton Young scored three points on one three and Grant Nebeker scored two points.

Cold shooting and rebounding really hurt the Bucks in the game. They only hit 31 percent of their shot attempts despite shooting a respectable 26 percent from three-point range. The Longhorns out-rebounded Monticello 30-22.

Three nights later in Salina the Bucks tipped off against the North Sevier Wolves in a battle to control fifth place in Region 16. In the teams’ previous meeting in January, Monticello prevailed 66-59 at home.

The Wolves were determined not to let that happen again, opening with a 14-10 first-quarter lead over Monticello. The Bucks won the second quarter 17-15 but still trailed 29-27 at the half.

In the third quarter, Monticello took control of the game, outscoring the home team 16-11 to own a 43-40 lead going into the final frame. But just when it seemed the Bucks would sweep the season series with the Wolves, North Sevier won the fourth quarter 13-10 to force overtime.

In the overtime, Monticello benefitted from physical play and a North Sevier technical foul and did just enough to rally for a 64-61 win.

Devin Hatch had his best game of the season, scoring 22 points with three three-pointers, nine rebounds, and a steal.

Cory Bunker was directly behind with 21 points. He had a monster game, contributing eight rebounds, three assists, and five steals.

Cedar English was also in double figures, scoring 14 points and adding six rebounds, four assists, and a block. Boston Freestone scored seven points in the win and contributed three rebounds and four assists.

For the game, Monticello shot 46 percent from the floor and only 19 percent from beyond the three-point line. But the Bucks won the game in the paint, outscoring the Wolves 32 to 22.

With the win to close out the week, Monticello improved to 8-9 overall and 4-5 in Region 16. They were ranked tenth out of 22 teams before the 2A RPI standings were taken offline.

The Bucks will close out the regular season on Friday, February 12 when the North Summit Braves (9-6 / 5-3) visit Monticello before state play-in games begin next week.

Girls basketball
The Lady Buckaroos were back on the road Tuesday, February 2 to visit the Altamont Lady Longhorns for a Region 16 game. Four nights later they welcomed the Deseret News third-ranked North Summit Lady Braves to town for another region tilt.

The girls fell behind Altamont 18-9 in the first quarter and a 21-9 second quarter in favor of the Lady Longhorns put the Lady Bucks in a 39-18 halftime hole.

In the third Monticello had their best offensive quarter of the game, scoring 11 points. But Altamont dropped in 19 to increase the Lady Buck deficit to 58-29. In the final quarter, Altamont bested Monticello 14-6 to claim a 73-34 region win.

Based on limited stats, we were able to ascertain that Kylie Rogers led the team with 13 points mainly coming from the foul line. Olivia Chamberlain had a nice game, chipping in eight.

Amy Lewis hit for five points, Saydee Adams contributed four, Rosy Beh got three, and Kenlee Atwood scored one point in the loss.

On Saturday night, February 6, the Lady Bucks welcomed the North Summit Lady Braves to Monticello for another Region 16 matchup. Monticello knew they had their hands full with one of the top teams in 2A girls basketball.

The Lady Bucks opened with a fairly good scoring quarter, pouring in nine points. Sadly, they gave up 22 points to North Summit to trail by 13 after one quarter. The Lady Braves outscored MHS 23-2 in the second quarter, stretching the lead to 45-11 at the half.

In the third, Monticello almost bested their offensive output of the first quarter by scoring eight points, but North Summit kept their foot on the gas with 31 points to extend their lead to 76-19 headed into the fourth.

Monticello played hard but dropped the final quarter 10-5 and the game 86-24. The Lady Bucks were only able to muster 11 field goals and they were an icy one of eight from the free throw line.

Olivia Chamberlain led Monticello with ten points. Kylie Rogers dropped in seven, followed by Saydee Adams who got four points.

Amy Lewis and Rosy Beh rounded out the scoring with two points and one respectively. The Lady Bucks were 1-14, ranked 20th before the RPI standings were removed from the web.

The girls close out their regular season at home against Dove Creek on Wednesday, February 10. They’ll travel for a state play-in game on Wednesday, February 17 with their opponent to be determined.