In a game heard on WEZC and at dewittdailynews.com, three players scored in double figures and Monticello held on against El Paso-Gridley for a 51-46 Sectional Championship win in Class 2A high school boy's basketball postseason action from Clifton Central High School.
Tanner Buehnerkemper scored 11 of his team-high 13 points in the first half helping the Sages overcome foul trouble from Dylan Ginalick, who went scoreless in the first half and scored all nine of his points in the second half.
Ben Cresap and Trevor Fox each scored 11 points. Cresap grabbed a game-high nine rebounds and dished out a game-high five assists. He also added four steals.
Statistically, the two teams were very even throughout, as neither team led by more than seven as there were seven ties and seven lead changes.
The Titans shot 42.5-percent while the Sages shot 45.7-percent. The Monticello turned EP-G over 16 times to 16 points while EP-G turned over Monticello 13 times for 13 points.
Each team grabbed 22 rebounds. Monticello held points in the paint edge, 22-20.
Perhaps the difference was the Sages finished 17-for-22 from the foul line to the Titans' 8-for-9.
With Friday's win, Monticello has won 11 straight and moves to 31-3. EP-G finishes its season 28-3.
The Sages take on Illini Prairie Conference rival Bloomington Central Catholic in Supersectional action Tuesday night at 6 pm at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield. Hear the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.
