Oh, for Peterson’s sake: Monticello beats Albernate in district final

Monticello Panthers guard Tate Peterson (12) raises his hand to celebrate after scoring on Cascade in the third quarter of a game at Monticello High School on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Monticello, Iowa. (Savannah Blake / The Gazette)

Marion – So Tate Peterson, exactly how injured are you?

“I’m fine,” he said.

Monticello’s senior point guard is really not good. He has been playing with a sore right shoulder for almost two months. He is a right-handed shooter, in case you are curious.

“I just try not to think about it,” Peterson said, after his 28 points helped Monticello beat ninth-ranked Albernate 57-51 in the Class 2A district final boys’ basketball game on Tuesday night. “I just try to get through the day with some ibuprofen and a few other things.”

Peterson sprained his AC joint and strained some other muscles near his collarbone when he went down diving for a loose ball on January 6 in a game against Center Point-Urbana. He missed four games but eventually decided to end things.

Tuesday’s offensive outburst included making four 3-pointers as at times he took over a game that was a complete tight end. His caper was a driving shot with one second left on the shot clock and under 30 in the game that gave his team a seven-point lead.

ball game. Peterson set Monticello’s career scoring record and sent the Panthers (16-6) to Saturday night’s substate final against No. 3 Applington-Parkersburg (21-2) in the process.

That game will be on Dyke. Monticello is seeking its fourth consecutive state tournament appearance, all with Peterson as its lead guard.

“I’ve always prided myself on being a winner,” said Peterson, who played collectively at Kirkwood. “I have great coaches and great teammates. We all have the same mindset. Just win, (beat) whatever is in front of us.

Monticello was actually the top ranked team in all of 2A to start the season due to the presence of Peterson and fellow all-stater Preston Rees. But it has largely been a tumultuous club, a club that finally seems to be recovering and finding its way at the right time.

Reece had 13 points, second to Carson Lambert’s 12. Only four Panthers scored and took shots, freshman Jack Lambert (head coach Tim Lambert’s son) took two.

He made a really good defense on Albernet’s Jordan Caton. In fact both of these teams played really good defense.

Tim Lambert said, “Survive and carry on, and we survived, because Albernate is a really good team.” “We’re finally getting healthy. We lost a few games, and everyone was like ‘What’s wrong with Monticello?’ But people were hurt more than we didn’t even know. Big kids big injuries, and they played anyway.

“I just told them how proud I was of them, because after those losses, nobody thought we could do anything, and I know they can.”

Albernate (20-4) scored the first five points, but Monticello took a 20-15 lead after the first quarter and never trailed. The Panthers’ spread was never larger than nine and there was just one point in the third, but Albernate was never out of the hump.

The game is difficult to chase, as coach Jeff Kristofferson said.

“Give them full credit,” Kristofferson said. “He made plays when he had to in critical situations.”

Mason Neighbor led the Pirates with 15 points. Leading scorers Braden Osborne and Caton were limited to 16 points total, nearly half their combined average.

Both are juniors, which means you can expect to see a good Albernate team again next season.

Kristofferson said, “It hurts now, but we know we lost to a very good basketball team.” “I told the kids that we’ve played in the district finals three years in a row. Now is the time to take the next step.”

in Marion

Monticello (57): Carson Lambert 5-8 0-0 12, Preston Rees 5-20 2-2 13, Jack Lambert 1-2 2-2 4, Conley Shoaf 0-0 0-0 0, Tate Peterson 10-20 4-5 28, Ian Temple 0-0 0-0 0. Total 21-50 8-9 57,

Albernate (51): Braden Osborne 3-11 1-2 9, Titan Bowers 3-3 0-0 6, Mason Neighbor 5-10 4-5 15, Adam Neighbor 2-5 0-0 5, Jordan Caton 3-6 0-0 7, Payton Baker 3-8 0-0 7, Grayson Carroll 0-0 2-2 2. Total 19-43 7-9 51,

half time – Monticello 29, Albernate 26. 3-point target – Monticello 7-22 (C. Lambert 2-4, Reese 1-7, J. Lambert 0-1, Peterson 4-10), Albernate 6-16 (Osborne 2-4, M. Neighbor 1-4, A. Neighbors 1-1, Catton 1-3, Baker 1-4). rebounds – Monticello 25 (Ries 10), Albernet 29 (Osborne 9). total foul – Monticello 7, Albernate 12. foul out – None. turnover – Monticello 7, Albernate 15.

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