The Monticello Sages boys basketball team will open its 2024-25 season tonight hosting Pleasant Plains.

Monticello faces a unique situation in that a number of its likely regular contributors will be playing in the football state championship game Saturday and haven't stepped on the basketball floor yet. Coach Kevin Roy says while they await several of those kids to return, they anticipate having a good core of seniors to lead this year's team. 

Early on, Coach Roy indicates his team should have a good chance to get some sophomores and a few seniors who will be role players an opportunity at varsity minutes.

Nolan Buehnerkemper is what Coach Roy calls his team's 'X-factor' calling them a different team when he's on the floor. The junior missed all of last year with an injury and has battled through an injury in football. Coach Roy says the junior wants to play and is hoping for good health this year.

Senior Ike Young has had an eventful year. He received an offer to play baseball at Illinois - ultimately committing and signing this fall - and was recently named a first-team all-state quarterback. Coach Roy says in that time, he's become a different player.

Monticello will look to build on a 15-15 season where they lost in the Regional Championship.

Tonight the Sages open the winter season hosting Pleasant Plains at the Sievers Center. Hear tonight's action and Monticello basketball action all season long on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. 

Game time tonight is at 7 pm.