After a Sectional appearance last season, the Monticello boy's basketball team will be hoping some young players take a step forward this season.

The Sages graduate seven seniors from last year's Regional Championship team and Coach Kevin Roy will be looking to juniors like Matthias Rudolph to help lead his team this year.

Senior Nolan Buehnerkemper will miss the first month of the season as he recovers from football injuries but he is intent on helping lead many of his teammates that lack that varsity experience.

Rudolph got his first taste of significant varsity time last year and says the pace of the varsity game was the biggest learning curve. He committed to getting bigger, faster and stronger this year to take a step forward as a junior.

Sages basketball always starts on the defensive end and while there are some areas the team is not quite up to speed on, Coach Roy likes his team this year and is looking forward to getting the season tipped off tonight at Pleasant Plains.

The Sages open the season tonight at Pleasant Plains. Tip is at 7 pm. Hear all the action on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com. Then be sure to find ILSportsWire on your preferred social media platform for highlights and player interviews throughout the season.