Friday, March 19, 1999
Monterosso lifts Finneytown
3-pointer boosts Wildcats 63-57
BY DAVE SCHUTTE
Enquirer contributor
FAIRBORN — It's a shot that Brian Monterosso couldn't explain but one that the Finneytown senior will remember for a long time.
“They were yelling, "Foul him, foul him,'” Monterosso said. “I shot the ball because I wanted to be in the act to get three free throws.”
It was Monterosso's 26-foot three-point shot with 12.2 seconds remaining that lifted Finneytown to a 63-57 victory over Milton-Union in the Division II regional semifinals Thursday at the Nutter Center.
The Wildcats move on to the regional championship game Saturday against Cincinnati Hills League rival Madeira with the winner advancing to the state semifinals in Columbus. Finneytown beat Madeira 78-77 at Madeira, and Madeira returned the favor 79-75 at Fin neytown earlier this season.
“When Brian left his feet, I thought he was going to pass the ball,” Finneytown coach Chuck Grosser said. “He was facing our bench. I was ready to grab him and play the rest of the game four on five. That is, until it went in.”
Monterosso's field goal pushed the Wildcats into a 61-57 lead and ended the Bulldogs' furious comeback that erased a 14-point Finneytown advantage (49-35) entering the fourth quarter.
“I can't tell you why the Monterosso kid shot,” Milton-Union coach Randy Thompson said. “We tried to foul him, but we didn't get there in time.”
Following Monterosso's shot, Phil Sweet sank two free throws with six seconds remaining to put the game out of reach.
Seniors Steven Matthews and Zach Smith triggered the Milton-Union comeback, combining for 15 points as the Bulldogs pulled within one at 56-55 with 1:56 remaining.
Finneytown center Paul Thompson then came up with the biggest rebound of his career. He grabbed a missed shot and went back up and scored for a 58-55 Wildcats lead.
“Milton-Union has a history of coming back, and we knew they would make a run,” Grosser said. “We didn't take care of the ball, and they were waiting for us.”
Sweet and Thompson were the key players in the fourth quarter, combining for 11 of the Wildcats' 14 points. Sweet's penetration led to three easy layups.
“If someone came out on me, I dished it off,” said Sweet, who also had six assists. I knew we were going to win. I kept telling the guys in the fourth quarter that it was all about heart and we have heart.”
MILTON-UNION (57) — Matthews 9-17 3-5 22, Hobbs 1-2 2-2 4, Robinett 1-5 0-1 2, Smith 4-7 0-0 10, Fulton 0-6 0-0 0, Jay 3-4 0-0 6, Curry 3-9 0-0 4, Atherton 2-6 1-4 12. Totals: 23-56 6-12 57.
FINNEYTOWN (63) — Calhoun 2-5 2-4 6, Meitrott 1-3 0-0 2, Thompson 8-11 0-0 16, Sweet 4-11 3-5 12, Gardner 4-12 0-1 11, Monterosso 4-7 3-3 12, Veser 2-4 0-0 4. Totals: 25-53 8-13 63.
Milton-Union ....... 7 18 10 22— 57
Finneytown ....... 16 18 15 14— 63
Three-point field goals: F (5-13) Gardner 3, Monterosso. MU (5-14) Smith 2, Curry 2, Matthews). Records: F 18-6, MU 14-11.
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