(Tom Hoganson)
MONTROSE — Montrose boys basketball started the season 1-4. The team is now 18-6, and headed to the Class 4A Sweet 16.
Montrose, seeded No. 16, beat No. 48 Centaurus 47-43 in the second round of the 4A tournament on Saturday. The win earns them a date with No. 1 Pueblo South next Wednesday.
Kade Terrell led Montrose with 17 points. Connor Imus and Kyle Stevenson each had 12.
“I am just proud of my guys,” Montrose coach Ryan Voenhringer said. “We started 1-4 and we are now 18-6. The guys have bought into the system and play team basketball on both ends. Grinded out another ‘W’ today against a very good and well coached Centaurus team.
“Great play on offense tonight from Kade Terrell, Connor Imus and Kyle Stevenson’s. I thought it was by far Kyle’s best game of the season. Played extremely well on both ends. Great win for our guys. So proud of them.”
The game was close throughout. Montrose led 8-7, 22-17 and 32-23 going into the fourth quarter.
With 3:53 left in the game, Centarus pulled within two at 35-33. They then started to foul Montrose. Sean Alex, Imus and Terrell made key free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
“Defense and free throws were the key,” Imus said. “I was a little nervous at the free-throw line at in the game.”
“We made some runs,” Terrell said. “Made some free throws and played our game down the stretch.”