Pinnacle Panthers lose to Monticello

    The Pinnacle Panthers lost to the Monticello Buckaroos 73-41 Friday night in Region 19 action.
    Monticello’s victory ends a two-game winning streak by Pinnacle and gives the Panthers their second home loss of the season.
    From the get go Monticello seemed to be firing on all cylinders on offense, while the Panthers struggled to get anything going.
    “I think they put more effort in to it than we did because we didn’t get back in time and allowed them to score easy layups,” Pinnacle guard Daniel Stoddard said.
    The Buckaroos led by as much as 14 in the first half, led by Jake Freestone and Lucas Hatch’s combined 16 points.
    “We were afraid of them, that literally was it, we were afraid and afraid to lose. It is to the point where they are going to come out and not be scared anymore,” said Panthers’ Head Coach Eric Hansen.
    At halftime, the Panthers trailed 32-21; after the break, things didn’t get any better for them.
    Pinnacle missed several opportunities to score in the third quarter and didn’t score until less than three minutes left in the quarter.
    Meanwhile, Monticello went on a 14-2 run to open the quarter and put the Panthers away.
    In the fourth quarter, Hansen went to his bench and junior varsity players to try get something going.
    Seniors Kaden Daughters and Dalton Cook stepped up in the final period, scoring a combined 12 points.
    Cook finished the night as the Panthers’ leading scorer with 12 points.
    Pinnacle turns around and plays rival Green River on the road Tuesday.
    Their final game at home will be against Wayne.