JUDA - The old adage that defense wins championships is a common belief shared by many in sports, and on Thursday night, defensive pressure was the key in Monticello's 41-38 win over the Juda Panthers.
Juda started off the game with a quick tempo, and at the end of the first quarter, they had a 15-7 advantage. However, for James Pickett and his Panthers team, stifling pressure applied by the Ponies in the second quarter was what shifted the momentum of the game.
"We shot the ball well in the first quarter, but during the second, Monticello picked up the pressure and we weren't able to handle it very well," said Pickett.
By forcing the Panthers into making some mistakes in the passing game, the Ponies were able to take the lead and hold on for the victory.
"We weren't thinking as fast as our bodies were moving, and we started to force some things which led to us turning the ball over. I thought we did a better job of handling their (Monticello's) pressure in the second half, but they were able to close," added Pickett.
Three players scored in double figures for the Ponies, led by Lucas Marty with 13 points, while teammates Logan Crooks and Ben May added 12 points each.
Cory Segner and Matt Schmitt led the Panthers with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Juda's next game will be against Black Hawk on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Black Hawk 60, Argyle 40
ARGYLE - Black Hawk junior Heath Butler erupted for 27 points in their Thursday night game against Argyle, helping his team pick up a 60-40 victory over the host Orioles.
After starting the game with his team taking perimeter shots, Warriors coach Corey Manlick wanted to play to their strengths and play off of each other.
"We knew we had a size advantage inside, and we wanted to utilize that as much as possible," said Manlick. "At first we were settling mostly for outside shots, but then I thought we were able to get our offense going once we started to reverse the ball and feed it into the post from both sides."
"We did a tremendous job of working off of each other. Heath was having a solid game, and Bret Paulson was getting in there too, which gave us a solid inside presence."
"Overall I thought we played well tonight," he said. "The kids didn't have school today, so I thought they responded really well with their effort. Now we have to get ready to prepare for a tough Pecatonica team on Saturday."
Kyle Emberson had 11 points for the Orioles (4-8, 1-4).
Clinton 50, Brodhead 34
CLINTON - Offensive and defensive struggles plagued the Brodhead boys basketball team in their game against Clinton, as they lost 50-34.
Unable to contain the Cougars' offense, the Cardinals fell behind 24-8 after the first quarter, and had a tough time erasing the deficit.
Ned Slocum and Griffin Day each scored in double figures for Brodhead with 14 and 10 points respectively.
The Cardinals will host McFarland next Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Barneveld 53, Pecatonica 42
BARNEVELD - After trailing throughout most of their game against Barneveld, the attempt by the Pecatonica boys basketball team at making a late comeback fell short, as they lost 53-42.
After trailing 33-17 at halftime, the Vikings were able to narrow the gap in the third quarter as they pulled within eight points of the Golden Eagles.
Unfortunately, Barneveld was able to maintain the advantage throughout the final quarter, and hold on for the victory.
Drew Schliem had 16 points for the Vikings, while A.J. Hendrickson added 11 points. Pecatonica will host Black Hawk on Saturday, Jan. 25.
Juda started off the game with a quick tempo, and at the end of the first quarter, they had a 15-7 advantage. However, for James Pickett and his Panthers team, stifling pressure applied by the Ponies in the second quarter was what shifted the momentum of the game.
"We shot the ball well in the first quarter, but during the second, Monticello picked up the pressure and we weren't able to handle it very well," said Pickett.
By forcing the Panthers into making some mistakes in the passing game, the Ponies were able to take the lead and hold on for the victory.
"We weren't thinking as fast as our bodies were moving, and we started to force some things which led to us turning the ball over. I thought we did a better job of handling their (Monticello's) pressure in the second half, but they were able to close," added Pickett.
Three players scored in double figures for the Ponies, led by Lucas Marty with 13 points, while teammates Logan Crooks and Ben May added 12 points each.
Cory Segner and Matt Schmitt led the Panthers with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Juda's next game will be against Black Hawk on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Black Hawk 60, Argyle 40
ARGYLE - Black Hawk junior Heath Butler erupted for 27 points in their Thursday night game against Argyle, helping his team pick up a 60-40 victory over the host Orioles.
After starting the game with his team taking perimeter shots, Warriors coach Corey Manlick wanted to play to their strengths and play off of each other.
"We knew we had a size advantage inside, and we wanted to utilize that as much as possible," said Manlick. "At first we were settling mostly for outside shots, but then I thought we were able to get our offense going once we started to reverse the ball and feed it into the post from both sides."
"We did a tremendous job of working off of each other. Heath was having a solid game, and Bret Paulson was getting in there too, which gave us a solid inside presence."
"Overall I thought we played well tonight," he said. "The kids didn't have school today, so I thought they responded really well with their effort. Now we have to get ready to prepare for a tough Pecatonica team on Saturday."
Kyle Emberson had 11 points for the Orioles (4-8, 1-4).
Clinton 50, Brodhead 34
CLINTON - Offensive and defensive struggles plagued the Brodhead boys basketball team in their game against Clinton, as they lost 50-34.
Unable to contain the Cougars' offense, the Cardinals fell behind 24-8 after the first quarter, and had a tough time erasing the deficit.
Ned Slocum and Griffin Day each scored in double figures for Brodhead with 14 and 10 points respectively.
The Cardinals will host McFarland next Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Barneveld 53, Pecatonica 42
BARNEVELD - After trailing throughout most of their game against Barneveld, the attempt by the Pecatonica boys basketball team at making a late comeback fell short, as they lost 53-42.
After trailing 33-17 at halftime, the Vikings were able to narrow the gap in the third quarter as they pulled within eight points of the Golden Eagles.
Unfortunately, Barneveld was able to maintain the advantage throughout the final quarter, and hold on for the victory.
Drew Schliem had 16 points for the Vikings, while A.J. Hendrickson added 11 points. Pecatonica will host Black Hawk on Saturday, Jan. 25.
