In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Gatsby Grant came off the bench and provided a spark for Monticello, scoring 17 points and helping the Sages to a season-opening 60-52 win over Pleasant Plains on Tuesday night in Pleasant Plains.

Last year's leading scorer Trey Welter picked up his second foul early in the first half and Grant helped stake Monticello to a 22-20 halftime advantage.

When Welter returned in the second half, the Cardinals defense keyed in on the 5-foot-9 scorer but the senior played unselfish offense and found junior Ike Young for three straight layups and Plains never got back within seven the rest of the way. 

Grant hit a pair of three-balls down the stretch that was crucial in Monticello keeping the Cardinals at arms-length. Welter added a pair of three-pointers in the fourth quarter as well.

Welter finished with seven points and five assists to just two turnovers.

The Sages dished out 16 assists on its 21 field goals to just seven turnovers. 

Monticello shot 51 percent as a team.

Young finished with eight points for the Sages. Welter and Tyler Blythe each had seven while seniors Jack Weidner and Rai Colbert each had five points.

Grant was the ServPro of Piatt/DeWitt Counties Player of the Game.

Cooper Shallenberg led Plains with 14 points while Liam Hatfield added 12 points and six rebounds.

Monticello is 1-0 on the season and will travel to Riverton next Tuesday night for another tilt with a Sangamo Conference opponent.