Monterey eager for playoffs
by Joey Martin - posted Thursday, February 14th, 2013 @ 9:52 am

Monterey boys basketball coach Eric Richard will not know for sure where or who his team will play in a first-round playoff contest.

But he does know if the Wolves have to travel, it will be because they didn't take care of business last week.

The playoff bracket will be released Thursday.

Monterey has been sitting at No. 16 in Class B for the majority of the season. The top 16 host a first-round.

Monterey, 17-9, lost to Oak Hill last Tuesday and closed out the regular season with a 59-54 loss to Forest.

Yankee Duncan led the Wolves with 14 points, while Dillon Smith added 12.

"We could have taken care of it ourselves, but we have to deal with whatever comes our way," Richard said. "It's a new season and we need to get back to how we were playing earlier. We need to play with a little more confidence and tougher defense."

Monterey could be facing Glenmora, Florien, Bell City or Summerfield.

The Lady Wolves defeated Forest 51-31, but Monterey 's girls will be on the road as they were ranked No. 19 on Monday.

The Lady Wolves led Forest 11-6 after one period and 25-12 at halftime.

Kristin Russell led Monterey with 11 points, while Karlee Woodruff added 10.

"I feel like we've played some of our best ball the last two or three games," said Monterey girls coach Cary Shively. "Oak Hill was definitely one our our better games. We played good defense and did a good job on the offensive end. We continued to do that Friday."

The Lady Wolves are allowing 34 points a game, holding opponents under 30 points on 11 occasions.

"We just have to get our offense going and keep playing defense," Shively said. "These girls have been to the playoffs the past four years, so they know what to expect."