In a game heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Tolono Unity turned up the defensive pressure in the second quarter and jumped Monticello for a 62-42 win in a Class 2A high school boys basketball Regional semifinal romp on Wednesday at the Maroa-Forsyth Regional.
The Sages and Rockets were tied at 18 after the first quarter, but Unity came out in a full-court press in the second quarter and used turnovers to pull out ahead for good, rolling to a Regional Championship on Friday night in Maroa.
The Rockets led by 30 at the five-minute mark of the fourth quarter, activating the mercy-rule running clock on their rival, who had beaten them in a Regional Championship game last year in Westville.
The Rockets had three players in double figures, led by Tyler Henry's 21 points. Dane Eisenmenger and Brayden Henry each had 14 points.
The Sages were led by Ayden McCool's 10 points - he scored all ten in the first quarter.
It is off to a Regional Championship game on Friday in Maroa for Unity.
Monticello opens the spring baseball season on Monday, March 16 vs Effingham.
