Post Messenger Recorder -

The Monticello Ponies played at Belleville on December 17th. The Wildcats led at halftime by 5 points and even though the Ponies were never able to take the lead during the game, they hung in there until the very end. Despite their perseverance, the Ponies lost the game, 54-60.

Peter Gustafson led the Ponies in scoring with 17 points, he also had 9 rebounds. Reece Rufer scored 13 points and had 13 rebounds, while Jeffrey Ace scored 10 points.

Belleville’s Royce Clark led the Wildcats with 12 points, while Jaydon Winkers scored 11 points and Sawyer Fahey and Josh Grebel each scored eight points.

On December 21st, the Ponies hosted Black Hawk. The visitors held the Ponies back much of the first half, but Monticello was still able to tie it up a couple of times before Black Hawk scored the last 8 points of the first half to lead 27-19. Black Hawk continued their domination into the second half of the game and the Ponies fought back from deficits each time only to have Black Hawk pull ahead to win the game, 71-63.

Jeffrey Ace poured in 21 points for the Ponies, and pulled down 4 rebounds, while Peter Gustafson scored 19 points and had 8 rebounds, and Simon Blohowiak and Reece Rufer both scored 9 points each. Rufer had 8 rebounds.

Monticello hosts Brodhead on December 27th, will play at Pecatonica on January 3rd and hosts Belmont on January 5th.