Trey Welter and Will Ross helped Monticello to a pair of victories in day one action from the Monticello Holiday Hoopla basketball tournament at the Sievers Center at Monticello High School on Monday.

Welter scored 15 points in the tournament opening 59-53 over Oakwood Monday morning. 

Tyler Blythe scored 15 points. Drew Sheppard scored eight points with six boards and three assists. 

The Sages played efficient offense, dishing out 15 assists to 12 turnovers. Monticello turned 11 offensive rebounds into 11 points and turned 16 Comets turnovers into 15 points. 

Oakwood lost its second game of pool play to Clinton.

In the nightcap, Ross recorded his first career double-double with 12 points and ten rebounds leading Monticello over Ridgeview, 51-42. 

Sheppard contributed 11 points as Monticello dominated in the paint and turned 14 Mustangs turnovers into 18 points and used 13 offensive rebounds to go with 17 second-chance points. 

Monticello again used strong ball control in the nightcap with 14 assists on nine turnovers and shot 47-percent. 

Moving to 7-4 overall and 2-0 in pool play, the Sages can play for its second straight Hoopla championship with a win this afternoon over Clinton. Hear all the action starting at 3:30 pm on WHOW, its many online digital platforms, as well as at 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.