Montini 82, IMSA 60

Even after a 24-point first quarter, the Montini boys basketball team wasn't too thrilled with its play Monday night.

That's because the Broncos (11-17) allowed 18th-seeded Illinois Math & Science Academy (2-25) to score 16 points of its own in the first 8 minutes of first-round action of the Class 3A St. Francis regional. Not impressed with that defensive effort, the Broncos forced 12 turnovers in the second quarter and held IMSA to 9 points while once again tallying 24 points for a 48-25 lead at the half that set the stage for an 82-60 triumph.

"After a slow start our defensive intensity picked up," said Montini coach John Vosicky.

Vosicky is filling in for head coach Tom Sloan, whose son his undergoing surgery this week.

"I was happy with the effort," said Vosicky, "but we could have been better. Sixty points is way too many to give up."

But the Titans gave up plenty more points. With Alex Blashewski exploding for 22 first-half points, this one was never in doubt. Dex Jones scored all 10 of his points in the Broncos big first half and Anthony Blashewski added 8 points before the break.

"It felt pretty good out there," said Alex Blashewski, who finished with 22 points and 3 steals. "My 3s were pretty open, though. We drove a lot and kicked it out."

The Titans had closed to within 22-16 late in the first quarter following a 3-point play by Robert Washington, but Alex Blashewski closed out the first quarter with a short jumper and then opened the next quarter with another score for a 28-16 lead.

Anthony Blashewski then added a fastbreak layup and a 3-pointer that started an 11-2 run that included a 3-pointer and 2 twos from Alex Blashewski, as well as a bucket from Jones off one of IMSA's many turnovers.

Despite 20 points from Titans senior Vince Rossi, Montini would not be stopped in its effort to advance to tonight's regional quarterfinal against No. 2 St. Joseph. Even with frequent substitutions that saw 12 different players score, the Broncos led 67-40 after three quarters and coasted from there.

Alex Blashewski said the Broncos are following Sloan's instructions in his absence and know they'll need to play their best defense to pull off a surprise in round two.

"The defense we played in the first quarter is not going to cut it," he said. "It's tough (without coach) but he'd want us to play hard."