In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello rallied from an eight points deficit at the half and held a brief lead in the fourth quarter but Prairie Central held on late for a 45-41 win in Illini Prairie Conference high school boy's basketball action from Fairbury Thursday night.
The game was a rescheduled matchup from a January postponement due to weather.
It was a knockdown, drag-out defensive battle all night. The Hawks led most of the game by around five to eight points. The Sages would find themselves within a possession on several occasions but could never get over the hump until the fourth quarter when Jack Weidner started the quarter with a three that gave Monticello a brief 34-33 lead.
Eli Craft hit a three with 5:04 to go that tied the score at 37-37. After a Gage Steindenger jumper put the Hawks back up 39-37, Weidner got free on a beautiful feed from the baseline by Trey Welter, hit the basket and was fouled.
Weidner missed the free throw for the lead but got his own offensive rebound, however, couldn't handle the possession and that led to a turnover to Prairie Central.
Levi Goad scored the next four for Prairie Central and the Hawks never trailed again.
Monticello made it interesting, forcing turnovers after a pair of Trey Welter free throws with 51 seconds left but that possession came up empty and then again with 20 seconds left but a Welter jumper from the baseline hit off the back iron and the Hawks made two free throws to put the game away.
Welter and Weidner scored eight points apiece to lead Monticello. Weidner was the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game.
Goad was the only player in double-figures on either side with 13 points.
Early in the second quarter, the Hawks lost one of its leading scorers to injury. On a Welter drive to the basket, Tyler Curl landed awkwardly on his ankle and was helped to the bench. He did not return.
Monticello shot just 33 percent from the floor to Prairie Central's 41 percent. Monticello was outrebounded 30-26 but 13 Hawks offensive boards led to ten second-chance points.
Prairie Central goes to 17-13 overall and 3-5 in the Illini Prairie Conference. They wrap up the regular season by hosting Rantoul tonight (Friday).
Monticello finishes the regular season 14-14 overall and 5-4 in the Illini Prairie Conference.
It's off to a Regional quarterfinal matchup with Meridian Monday night in Monticello. Game time is 7 pm. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.
