Tuesday night’s clash between Louisa County and Monticello left the Mustangs with a sour taste in their mouth and an 86-83 victory for the Lions.
A fast-paced offense led by Chris Steppe and Jayvon Jackson along with the lacking Monticello defense gave Louisa a quick start. Jermaine Pace’s deep three early in the first quarter set the tone for the first half as Louisa picked apart the Mustang defense. On the offensive side Monticello relied on the shooting of Josh Rush’s seven points in the first quarter to round out the quarter with Louisa on top 17-11.
The second quarter proved to be a rough one for the Mustang offense. Loisa’s defense held Monticello to 15 points in the quarter spread between just three players. Louisa spread their 22 second quarter points between eight different players. The high-octane offense of Louisa pushed the Lions into halftime with a 39-26 lead.
In the third quarter, Monticello rallied and turned the tables on Louisa. Malik Barbour led the team with 10 points in the third quarter as the Mustangs mounted a late comeback. At the end of the third Monticello still had some ground to make up as they trailed 53-45 but the momentum appeared to have turned.
Brooks and Barbour came in clutch at the free throw line going five for six behind the line. Rush knocked down a vital 3-pointer with 1:01 remaining to bring Monticello within three points. Sloppy Louisa turnovers and a few free throws tied the game up at 73 with 11 seconds to go. Monticello inbounded the ball after a timeout and carried it down the court, kicking it immediately to their shooting guard, Rush. The shot clanked off the rim and fell to the floor, sending the game into overtime.
Louisa controlled the Mustangs throughout overtime, converting shots, drawing fouls, intercepting passes and containing drives. Pace put up four points in OT to seal the game 86-83 for Louisa.
Monticello’s Barbour finished the game with 26 points while Louisa’s Pace and Latrell Winkey both notched 15 points a piece.
Louisa finishes their regular season at home against Fluvanna Friday night and Monticello hits the road to cap their season against Charlottesville.
