Player Evals: Monticello Wins RVC North Title

[caption id="attachment_1363524" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Preston-Ries-crop-1536x1009-1641852067.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1363524 size-medium" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/01/Preston-Ries-crop-1536x1009-1641852067-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1171677" first="Preston" last="Ries"] had a huge game, scoring 23 points with 15 rebounds in Monticello’s win[/caption] MONTICELLO -- For the third consecutive year, the Monticello Panthers are the champions of the River Valley North, as they clinched the division title on Tuesday night with a 53-40 win over Camanche. The Panthers were able to shake off a slow start, falling into a 9-2 hole early on, and trailing 16-10 after the first quarter. They outscored the Storm 15-5 in the second quarter to take a 25-21 lead into the locker rooms, and they never looked back. Monticello built their lead up to 12 early in the fourth quarter before one last Camanche punch trimmed the deficit down to six points, 43-37, with 5:36 to play. The Panthers responded by outscoring Camanche 10-3 the rest of the way, cruising to the RVC North title again. Monticello (18-2) was led by [player_tooltip player_id="1171677" first="Preston" last="Ries"], who had 23 points and 15 rebounds in the win. He had a rough start from the floor but had a huge third quarter to help the Panthers build their big lead. [player_tooltip player_id="956879" first="Tate" last="Petersen"] added 15 points in the win. They’ll travel down to Wellman on Friday night for an excellent test against the RVC South champions, Mid-Prairie, who is undefeated. Camanche (16-4) was led by [player_tooltip player_id="1167714" first="Zane" last="Witt"], who had 14 points on a perfect 7-7 shooting. [player_tooltip player_id="1158491" first="Adam" last="Dunlap"] chipped in 13 points in the loss. The Storm finish the regular season with a home game against Tipton on Thursday night before opening postseason play next week.   <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">Team</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">1Q</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">2Q</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">3Q</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">4Q</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">F</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">Camanche</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">16</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">5</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">10</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">9</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">40</td> </tr> <tr> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">Monticello</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">10</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">15</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">14</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">14</td> <td style="width: 16.6667%; text-align: center;">53</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>   Camanche: [player_tooltip player_id="1167714" first="Zane" last="Witt"] 14, [player_tooltip player_id="1158491" first="Adam" last="Dunlap"] 12, [player_tooltip player_id="962661" first="Mike" last="Delzell"] 6, Josh Wiersema 6, Tyson Seeser 2 Monticello: [player_tooltip player_id="1171677" first="Preston" last="Ries"] 23, [player_tooltip player_id="956879" first="Tate" last="Petersen"] 15, Trey Kuper 7, Peyton Schilling 6, Caleb Sauser 2   2024 [player_tooltip player_id="1171677" first="Preston" last="Ries"] (Monticello) A hyper-athletic and powerful 6-1/6-2 combo forward, Ries got off to a really slow shooting start, going just 2-10 in the first half, including 0-5 from 3. He picked up his play in the second half, scoring 11 points in the third quarter, including making three straight 3-pointers. He's a fantastic athlete with big, broad shoulders and he does an excellent job high-pointing the basketball and out jumping other players for rebounds. He has soft hands and is a good finisher around the rim. He has a decent-looking stroke from the arc, he was just a bit off for a good chunk of the night, but he showed that when he hits one he's capable of getting hot and making multiple in a row. He had 23 points, 15 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="956879" first="Tate" last="Petersen"] (Monticello) Petersen is a 6-0 point guard who handles the ball extremely well and has "in the gym" range. Some people are going to get hung up on his form, as it kind of looks like he's shooting a shotput at times, but he's an incredible shooter with limitless range and is capable of getting scorching hot at any point in time. He gets the ball into his shooting pocket quickly and is able to use his shooting to open up the rest of his game. He does an excellent job playing with pace and using inside-out dribbles to get by the defender and into the paint, where he has a really quick release on his finishes, surprising expectant shot blockers with his ability to quickly get his shot up with either hand. He had 15 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in the win for the Panthers. 2022 Trey Kuper (Monticello) A 6-4 stretch-4 with range and a smooth stroke, Kuper is a solid contributor as a role player for the Panthers. He's a smart player who positions himself well on the defensive end, and does what is asked of him offensively. His release could stand to be a little quicker, but he has range and is a reliable shooter from the arc and the free-throw line. He keeps the ball moving, sets good, hard screens, and is a good all-around team player. 2024 Peyton Schilling (Monticello) Like Kuper, Schilling understands his role and plays it well. He had 6 points on 2-5 shooting (2-4 3P) to go with 4 assists and 2 steals. He has a quick release off the catch and does a good job moving off the ball. He's a reliable ball-handler and decision-maker and is a solid on-ball defender who moves his feet. 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="1158491" first="Adam" last="Dunlap"] (Camanche) A 6-3 slashing wing with great athleticism, Dunlap had a solid game on both ends of the floor. He was the primary defender on Petersen, and he really made him work hard on that end of the floor. Dunlap has good length and excellent quickness that he uses to make an impact on that end of the floor, and offensively, he has a quick first step that he uses to blow by defenders and get to the rim for finishes. He has good body control around the bucket and can finish effectively with either hand. 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="1167714" first="Zane" last="Witt"] (Camanche) Perhaps the most intriguing prospect on the floor, Witt is a mobile 6-6/6-7 lefty big man with good footwork, extremely soft hands, and great touch around the rim. He had 14 points on a perfect 7-7 shooting along with 6 rebounds and a block. He wasn't involved in the offense much in the first half, but had 10 second-half points, showing the ability to seal his defender, catch everything, and finish. 2025 Tyson Seeser (Camanche) A freshman who has made his way into the starting lineup as Camanche has dealt with a bevy of injuries, Seeser is a long and athletic 5-10 wing who looks like he could keep growing a bit. He isn't asked to do a ton yet, but he's a solid off-ball defender who does a good job denying the ball and getting into passing lanes. 2022 [player_tooltip player_id="962661" first="Mike" last="Delzell"] (Camanche) The younger brother of former Camanche standout Caleb Delzell, Mike is shorter, but has a similar stat-sheet stuffing playing style that Caleb had. He's an athletic 6-2 guard who handles it well and sees the floor extremely well. He's a versatile defender with the quickness to defend on the perimeter, and the strength and toughness to bump down into the paint.