MONTICELLO — For the first time since 2010, the Ponies are regional champions. On March 7, Monticello celebrated its upcoming trip to the sectional semifinal with a 57-41 win over Argyle at Monticello High School.

Monticello led by seven points at halftime and were 12 of 16 from the free throw line down the stretch to clinch the victory. Peter Gustafson led the way with 18 points for Monticello, while Reece Rufer had 14 points, Simon Blohowiak 13 and Devin Holtz 11. Rudy Wicker was the only other Pony to score a bucket, knocking down a second-half free throw.

Argyle was led in scoring by Payton Flannery’s 13 points. Connor Carius and Joey Hinojosa each had eight.

The Ponies were held to just 10 baskets from inside the arc, but finished with seven buckets from downtown. Argyle hit just two shots from deep and 13 2-pointers.

To reach the regional final, the top seeded Ponies (23-1) knocked off Black Hawk 68-43 the night before. Monticello led 29-19 at halftime and outscored the Warriors 39-24 in the second half.

Blohowiak led the way with 18 points and four 3-pointers, while Gustafson had 16, Rufer 12 and Owen Ace 10.

Lucas Flanagan led Black Hawk (10-14) with 15 points and Jaylen Rufenacht added seven.

“Both games were hard fought, physical games between teams that knew each other very well,” Monticello coach Mark Olson said. “I thought we played very well defensively in both games, and I really liked our offensive balance in each game. We had four guys in double figures in each game.”

Argyle (17-8) reached the regional final thanks to a wild finish March 6 against Central Wisconsin Christian. The Orioles, seeded fourth, trailed by a point in the closing seconds of the game, only for Carius to knock down a 25-foot heave at the buzzer, sending the home crowd into a tizzy.

It was the first time in five seasons that the Orioles reached the regional championship.

Division 4

Fennimore 63, New Glarus 51

FENNIMORE — The defending state champions are out, as the Eagles knocked off the Glarner Knights in a WIAA regional semifinal March 6.

Both teams were knotted up at 22 at halftime, but Fennimore was able to pull away in the second half.

Nathan Streiff led New Glarus with 18 points, while Mason Martinson had 11 and Connor Siegenthaler eight. 

Fennimore was led in scoring by Adam Larson, who had 23. Warren Adam and Brady Larson each had 12 points. The Eagles then lost the regional championship the next night to unbeaten and top-ranked Cuba City.