Thus far this season, the Montezuma-Cortez High School boys basketball team has flashed moments of brilliance amidst long stretches of inconsistency.
Playing at home against Monticello on Dec. 19, the trend continued, as the Panthers were defeated 60-49 by Utah’s Class 1A defending state champions.
“There are times that we look really good and there are times that we don’t,” said M-CHS head coach Michael Hall. “We’ll figure it out. That’s what the preseason is all about.”
Key in the Panthers defeat were numerous M-CHS turnovers that resulted in easy buckets for Monticello’s patient offense. The Panthers turned the ball over 23 times in the game.
“We started to make some pretty good runs and then we had bad turnovers,” said Hall. “That hurt.”
Also contributing to the M-CHS loss was the shooting of senior Sheldon Black, led all scorers with 18 points. Black scored seven points in the first quarter to help Monticello jump out to a 13-9 lead entering the second frame.
“We need to recognize who the shooters are,” said Hall. “We played great defense and then we would have mental lapses.”
After falling behind 20-11 after a layup by Monticello’s Eli Johnson midway through the second quarter, the Panthers found life thanks Randy Haley and Taylor Wilson, who hit consecutive to cut Monticello’s lead to 20-15. Monticello closed the quarter with two three pointers by Maloy Mckade however, to take a 26-15 lead heading into halftime.
Beginning the second half renewed focus, M-CHS benefited from several strong drives by Jonathan Walck, who scored eight of his team-leading 13 points in the third quarter. Seth Long also had a big quarter, scoring six of his eight total points in the frame.
“The play in the post was pretty decent,” said Walck. “We finally started to play like big men. We have to do that more often.”
Entering the fourth quarter trailing 46-34, the Panthers turned up the pressure on defense with a half-court trap, but because of numerous turnovers, M-CHS never got closer than eight points.
Walter Parker led Panthers bench players with nine points, Taylor Wilson scored eight points and Randy Haley added five.
“I thought we did pretty well, but we need to work on closing out and boxing out,” said Long. “They got a couple of open threes.”
With their record now at 4-3 on the season, M-CHS will practice several times before Christmas break. The team’s first game after the break be against San Juan High School and will take place in Blanding, Utah, on Jan. 9.
“We need to be patient and confident with the ball,” said Walck. “We need to believe in each other.”
“Our focus is going to be on boxing out and (reducing) our turnovers,” added Hall. “We have to limit (second chance opportunities) and cut (our turnovers) and we’ll be alright.”