Post Messenger Recorder -

In the first round of the WIAA Division 5 Regionals, the #6 seeded Monticello Lady Ponies hosted #11 Hustisford. Up 34-17 at the half, Monticello spent the second half outscoring Hustisford 36-21, coming up with a 70-38 win.

Leading Monticello with 26 points was Ellie Gustafson, who also had 16 rebounds, 1 assists, 5 steals and 1 block. Dalana Trumpy scored 15 points with 3 rebounds and 2 steals, Jaden Zuber scored 11 points with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal, and Molly Olson scored 10 points with 4 rebounds, 9 assists and 2 steals.

With the win, the Lady Ponies advanced to round two of regional play, on February 24th at the #3 seeded Rio. It was a very close game and the Ponies held their own but ended up losing. The final score was Rio 55, Monticello 47.

With 18 points, Ellie Gustafson led Monticello in scoring. She also had 16 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Dalana Trumpy scored 13 points with 8 rebounds, 1 assists and 2 steals, and Jaden Zuber scored 8 points with 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals.

“Just a few plays went their way in the second half,” said Coach Mark Gustafson. “They hit some 3s that we were not able to answer. Ellie had a double-double to finish out her career in Monticello. The girls played hard, we just didn’t shoot well enough from the free throw line and weren’t able to rebound enough to put us over the top.”