After a 65-48 loss to Monticello in Class 2A Regional Semi-Final action Tuesday night, Clinton Maroons head basketball coach Clay Haurberg is optimistic about the future.

The second year Maroons head coach spoke after Tuesday night's loss and says prior to this year, he and his coaching staff sat down and outlined several goals they wanted to achieve this year, and were able to reach all of them.

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The Maroons lack of rebounding and turnovers were the difference Tuesday night and Coach Haurberg says his team needs to get stronger in the offseason. He wants the kids to take some time away from basketball, but he hopes they will get after it this summer.

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After matching the improvements the team had set, Coach Haurberg says things are only going to get better. He points to the success of younger levels and hopes to continue to develop the youth leagues in the future.

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Coach Haurberg deflected any credit for success the kids have achieved. He attributes their hard work and commitment along with his assistant coaches for their hard work in this year's turnaround. He feels the atmosphere at high school basketball games is turning around and thanks the community for getting behind this year's team and hopes to continue to build on that momentum.

He adds it's time for the kids to take time off and enjoy being teenagers. The coach says he will also be taking some time off before gearing up for the spring and summer workout season.

He tips his hat to Monticello who picked up their 20th win Tuesday, and will go for a second Regional Title in three years, and expressed a great deal of respect to the Sages Head Coach Kevin Roy. Haurberg and Roy have a unique connection as Coach Roy's brother was an assistant at Neoga High School when Coach Haurberg served as their head coach.