story and photo

BY JOSEPH ABRAHAM

MONTICELLO -- When asked how he thought the game would go against last year's Section 9 Class AA runner-ups, Middletown, Monticello Coach Chris Russo believed it would be a very close game. And he was right, as the contest came right down to the wire. Unfortunately his Panthers fell short, 63-59.

Both teams looked sloppy in the first few minutes of play, which is to be expected in the first game of the season. Turnovers allowed the Middie Bears to jump out to a quick 14-4 lead before Russo called timeout. His Panthers responded, slowly battling back, and eventually narrowing Middletown's lead to one (33-32) at halftime.

Neither team scored during the first half of the third quarter. However, Middletown went on a 10-0 run in the remaining minutes of the third, but once again the Panthers were resilient, cutting Middletown's lead to six (46-40) entering the final eight minutes of regulation.

Key baskets by Monticello senior leader Josh Gattling and junior Jalil Jones in the fourth quarter chipped away at the Middie Bears' lead, and with 1:23 left, the score was 57-54 Middletown. The Middie Bears nailed two FTs, and Gattling responded on the other end with two of his own.

The clutch free throw shooting from Middletown continued, hitting two more on the next possession, and following a Monties' miss on the other end, stepped back to the charity stripe and put the game out of reach. Monticello's Jordan Ruggiero finished the scoring by drilling a three with .4 seconds left on the clock.

On the stat sheet, Jones led the way for Monticello with 14 points, while Trevon Gray added 13.

Russo noted that both teams are athletic and like to play up and down the floor.

“We had a few costly turnovers and didn't start with the intensity we should have and that was the difference,” Russo said.

As for the positives, Russo credited his team for the way they battled all game long and despite double digit deficits, they managed to make it a one possession game with under a minute remaining.

The Panthers are back in action this evening as they are participating in the tournament at Wallenpaupack High School.

SIDE NOTE:

Monticello's JV boys earned an impressive 42-39 overtime win against Middletown prior to the varsity game.