MONTICELLO - After taking care of business against Pecatonica and Albany's upset win over Barneveld, the Ponies are now just one win away from clinching a share of the Six Rivers East crown.
Brandon Holz and Jacob Marty combined for 38 points in Monticello's 54-35 win on Tuesday.
"We'll take it," Ponies head coach Brad Pickett said. "We came out and did a good job."
Monticello jumped out of the gate, getting driving lay ups by Holz (21 points, 15 rebounds), Marty (17 points), and Corey McGowan in the first one minute, 30 seconds, forcing Vikings head coach Jim Syse to take a timeout.
By the time the opening period ended, Monticello led 15-8.
"Defensively we did a good job boxing people out and defending shots," Pickett said.
In the second, the Ponies locked down on defense, holding Pecatonica scoreless for over five minutes at one point.
"This was just a tough game," Syse said. "We didn't shoot it very well and Monticello played great."
The second half continued to more of the same. Monticello opened the third quarter on a 12-2 run and led 40-20 headed into the fourth.
Marty scored 15 points in the second half.
"All the games are big this time of the year and its always good to be playing your best at the end of the year," Pickett said.
Monticello has been running on all cylinders since losing to the Vikings on Jan. 8, going 6-1 since and undefeated in conference.
Monticello (12-5, 9-1) needs just one more conference win to clinch a share of the crown with two games remaining. Winning both (Black Hawk and Argyle) would allow the Ponies sole possession of the title.
"Our guys still know what they need to do to win conference," Pickett said.
Pecatonica (6-10, 3-7) needs to figure themselves out with the tournament just around the corner.
"Hopefully we can bounce back better against Juda on Friday," Syse said. "We need to keep working and do the things we were doing well a couple of weeks ago."
Kaleb Feller led the Vikings with 14 points and Jeremy Meudt added eight.
Brandon Holz and Jacob Marty combined for 38 points in Monticello's 54-35 win on Tuesday.
"We'll take it," Ponies head coach Brad Pickett said. "We came out and did a good job."
Monticello jumped out of the gate, getting driving lay ups by Holz (21 points, 15 rebounds), Marty (17 points), and Corey McGowan in the first one minute, 30 seconds, forcing Vikings head coach Jim Syse to take a timeout.
By the time the opening period ended, Monticello led 15-8.
"Defensively we did a good job boxing people out and defending shots," Pickett said.
In the second, the Ponies locked down on defense, holding Pecatonica scoreless for over five minutes at one point.
"This was just a tough game," Syse said. "We didn't shoot it very well and Monticello played great."
The second half continued to more of the same. Monticello opened the third quarter on a 12-2 run and led 40-20 headed into the fourth.
Marty scored 15 points in the second half.
"All the games are big this time of the year and its always good to be playing your best at the end of the year," Pickett said.
Monticello has been running on all cylinders since losing to the Vikings on Jan. 8, going 6-1 since and undefeated in conference.
Monticello (12-5, 9-1) needs just one more conference win to clinch a share of the crown with two games remaining. Winning both (Black Hawk and Argyle) would allow the Ponies sole possession of the title.
"Our guys still know what they need to do to win conference," Pickett said.
Pecatonica (6-10, 3-7) needs to figure themselves out with the tournament just around the corner.
"Hopefully we can bounce back better against Juda on Friday," Syse said. "We need to keep working and do the things we were doing well a couple of weeks ago."
Kaleb Feller led the Vikings with 14 points and Jeremy Meudt added eight.
