Montrose boys basketball survives Discovery Canyon to reach Great 8
By Tom Hoganson/CHSAANow.com
MONTROSE – Fourth-seeded Montrose hosted 20th-seeded Discovery Canyon in the Sweet 16 on Wednesday night and won 50-41 in a close game from start to finish.
“Unreal game,” Montrose’s Fletcher Cheezum said. “That was one of the most fun games I’ve ever played in. First half we got off to a slower start than we wanted to and couldn’t make shots. In the third quarter, they went on a run and we couldn’t answer. In the fourth, we rallied together and got hot at the right time. Great team effort tonight and the fans made the atmosphere unbelievable to play in.
“All the work all five of us had put in over the years, we couldn’t lose in the Sweet 16. We battled and never quit. That’s what I love about this team.”
The Thunder led 10-9 after the first quarter. Montrose led by as many as eight in the second quarter but that lead dwindled to 23-19 at halftime. The Thunder came out hot at halftime. Ethan Smith had two 3-pointers, Cameron Whittle scored four and Grant Vonwaller had two to give the Thunder a 39-29 lead to start the fourth quarter.
But Montrose found its rhythm in the final frame, led by Cheezum, Ashden Oberg and Luke Hutto and Montrose won 50-41.
“Today just showed how much resilience Montrose basketball had,” Hutto said. “Being down 10 going to the fourth quarter and then going on a 21-2 run is unheard of. It was tough to score in that zone. They packed it in tight limited my shot attempts. The whole team did a great job of not forcing it and getting good shots. And we were back down on defense. With intense pressure up to causing turnover after turnover getting us back in the game. We live to fight another day. I couldn’t be prouder of my team.”
Hutto had 14 points. Trey Reese had 12. Cheezum and Oberg had 11 points apiece.
“What a great high school basketball game,” Montrose head coach Ryan Voehringer said. “I’m so proud of the heart and toughness my guys showed tonight. Discovery is physical, long, athletic and runs good stuff on both ends of the floor. The second half was a game of runs. DC goes on a 16-0 run to end the third quarter to take a 10-point lead. Then we turn around and go on a 21-2 run in the fourth. We turned up the pressure on defense and Ashden Oberg was big in the fourth quarter with seven points.
“Fletcher Cheezum had seven points in the fourth and a huge three pointer. Luke Hutto went five for six at the free throw line late in the fourth. Trey Reese did an excellent job as well getting us into our sets and causing havoc on defensive end. Free throws were huge for us tonight. Going 17-23, including 12-14 in the fourth quarter. Hutto led us with 14. Reese had 12 and Cheezum and Oberg had 11. Huge shoutout to the MHS student body and Montrose community for the support. The gym was electric.”
Discovery Canyon head coach Paul Campbell added, “Both teams played an incredible game tonight. Aiden Prechtel had 14 points and 10 rebounds, Ethan Smith had 12 points and was 4 for 4 from 3- point range. Montrose made a few more plays down the stretch. We wish Montrose team the best the rest of the way.”
