MONTICELLO -- By far the most compelling team story of the 2019-20 basketball campaign was the meteoric rise of the Monticello Panthers boys basketball team under the savvy, watchful mentorship of Coach Christopher Russo. For the second consecutive year, Coach Russo has been named the Sullivan County Democrat Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.

By virtue of the team's outstanding 16-7 record, its 8-2 mark in an extremely tough division, its authoritative sectional wins over Wallkill and FDR and its toe-to-toe epic finals clash with New Paltz that resulted in a razor thin two-point loss, the hashtag #greatdaytobeapanther, which often appeared on social media, was apropos not only for the team, their coach, their families, their school and county, but indeed for the legions of people who got to see this group play with fervor, unity, and wizardry.

The electrifying atmosphere in Monticello's legendary “Pit” was a nightly affirmation during a season that began somewhat inauspiciously but ramped up to include wins in nine of its last ten regular season games and a hair's breadth away from the Montis' first Sectional crown since 2002. Great teams have talent, chemistry, character and unanimity of purpose and as Russo sees it, this was the best blend yet in his eighteen-year tenure at the helm of Sullivan County's flagship team.

Coming into this season Russo and his squad had great expectations setting their sights on adding a Section 9 championship to the banner whose last entry was in 2002. Early on the team's defense, which would become its most powerful asset, had not quite gelled. Thus, close losses to Middletown and Wallenpaupack resulted. But after a 5-5 start, the team won 11 of its last 13 games. “I am so proud of the progress we made,” says Russo. “Players stepped up to replace the needed points and rebounds lost by virtue of the graduation of Dannez Moore and Aiden Johnson. We got great leadership from our players, Josh Gattling in particular, Jordan Ruggiero and others who made sure that I wasn't the only one who was demanding of kids about kids their behavior, grades, attitudes and work ethic. We had 13 kids on the roster many of whom could have been starters on other teams. On our team they had to make sacrifices. In the end everyone wanted to win more than they wanted individual success.”

Practice is so critical to coalescing individual talent into a great team product. “I spend a lot of time preparing practice. It's something that I don't take lightly. I have many practice plans. We always make sure we did some things every day including team-oriented activities, mainly running and passing. We worked on getting into our transition that turned into live play simulations of actual game pace and intensity. We did more of that than we've done in past years. We did shooting drills for 20 minutes and 20 minutes on some aspect of our defense. We played 95 percent man-to-man,” avers Russo.

Monticello created intense pressure on other teams with its trapping and ball pressure. “Lots of coaches say they want their teams to play up-tempo but in order to do that you have to be able to defend and rebound. Everybody has to buy in. Our best players were our best defensive players,” Russo noted. Teams often defended Monticello with a 2-3 or 3-2 zone. “We tried to stretch defenses out and use inside-out strategies with a pass into the paint or a drive to the basket and then a reversal to the perimeter,” he said. “We looked to kick and slash to an open area. Ultimately against the zone you have to be aggressive but patient, to move the ball in a manner that forces a team to react and expend energy. The best way to beat a zone is to beat it up the floor and not allow the team to settle into its set defensive posture. We want to pass the ball over half court as much as possible.”

Russo deployed something he learned from Red Hook Coach Matt Hayes as well as watching Butler University basketball. It is a three-on-three drill that requires the defense to get three consecutive stops of “kills'” using either a rebound, a steal, a block , or a shot alteration that results in a miss. Butler keeps a running visual tab of “kills” and it's a great defensive motivator.

Basketball mentality is a year-round phenomenon. “After the season we give the kids some time away. I'm a demanding person and they need that,” Russo said. “Towards the end of the school year we get together to do small workouts. We play summer league which gives us a chance to put some kids together many of whom will be playing together in the winter. I post an off-season weight room workout and an exercise workout. In the fall, around October 1, we have our first preseason meeting and set up our workout agenda. If you want to be successful and have the opportunity to play for a championship, basketball has got to be on your mind and in your action throughout the entire year. I stay in touch and text the guys to keep the connection with their academic work and their home life.”

Monticello has a strong enduring tradition. Kids know they are playing as part of that storied legacy. “The Pit is a special place and the fan support is amazing,” said Russo. “Even on road games we had great support. We try to do things that make the community proud of these young men. I don't' coach angels but they have to make strides to become productive adults and good, solid citizens. The community recognizes that.”

Talking about the division Russo notes, “All the schools have talent, all the coaches talk to each other and the kids know each other. Kids from many of the schools play together on the Orange County Kings AAU squad . Every coach works hard on scouting and devising strategy. In our division there are no nights off. The two games that we played poorly were against Minisink. That's a credit to them. The reason sometimes that teams don't play well is because the other team forces you into situations that you're not comfortable with or being in. From our standpoint that's exactly what we want to do: put our adversaries in uncomfortable positions and to deploy our strongest assets to our advantage. Next year all the teams in our division will bring back key players that helped them be successful, from whatever level.”

Russo was emotional in noting, “I'm humbled that I was chosen to be Sullivan County Coach of the Year again. For me, it's something that is about my family and my players and my school who allow me to do all the things that I do to put us in a position to win and I'm grateful for all of that. Coaching at Monticello is a truly special opportunity.” Russo continues to add to his already plentiful treasure trove of knowledge by virtue of his role as Deputy Executive Director of BCANY. “Being a part of that organization enhances what I do as a coach. It allows me to interact with so many coaches. It's made me a better coach.” His role in organizing the annual BCANY Coaches vs. Cancer tournament, his inimitable role in helping to shape the lives of the young men he mentors, and the sterling success of the program he oversees, clearly affirm the rightful selection of Chris Russo, Sullivan County Democrat Boys Basketball Coach of the Year.