RICHFIELD — All season long the Monticello basketball team has seen themselves as a brotherhood.
"A brotherhood is about pulling together," said Buckaroos head coach Rhett Maughn after Monticello claimed fifth place with a 59-47 win over Bryce Valley. "It's about doing everything together, working together, fighting together."
The Buckaroos lost a heartbreaking double-overtime contest to Rich, and it took a lot of fortitude to turn around and keep battling in the consolation bracket.
"We've had a great season," he said. "We're 22-4 after the tournament."
He loses four seniors, and they're such special young men, Maughn shed tears over their departure from the program.
Seniors Cory Young, Dallin Duncan, Devin Wright and his own son Kendal all graduate this spring.
"Dallin has an amazing work ethic, and he's just a good kid," said Maughn, saying the description of "gentle giant" for the 6-foot-7 center is accurate. "Devin is all heart. He just works 100 percent at all times. Cory Young is our shooter, kind of my team leader. He gets the kids in the game. And Kendal, he's our spark plug. He's our best defensive player, and he understands his role."
His son has taken some flak about being the coach's kid, but he's handled it by working harder and staying positive. It did make it that much more satisfying when Kendal hit the 3-point shot that sent the Rich game into its first overtime.
"It felt great, and it couldn't come to a more deserving kid," said Maughn.
Young led his team with 17 points, five assists and four steals Saturday against the Mustangs. Duncan added 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Terek Esplin finished with 11 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Mustangs started slow, but battled back into the game thanks to the leadership of Kace Roundy. He finished with 22 points and six rebounds. Jacob Pearson added 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Hayden Johnson scored three points and grabbed seven rebounds in the loss which means seventh place for Bryce Valley.
Maughn said he would savor the season with this group of brothers.
"These kids are the most hard working, energetic, dedicated and more importantly good kids," he said. "No attitude problems, no worries. Just good, good kids."
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