Boys’ Basketball: Montone, Alvarez lead Pottsville past Blue Mountain

Pottsville and Blue Mountain coaches and captains meet before the game with the officials (Photo by Eli Doyle).
POTTSVILLE — As we creep closer to the end of the regular season, Pottsville continues to build each game.
Letrel Montone scored a team-high 11 points and Christian Alvarez chipped in 10 as Pottsville defeated Blue Mountain 44-36 in a Schuylkill League Division I contest Tuesday at Blue Mountain High School.
“We’re taking it one day at a time,” Crimson Tide coach Jake Wartella said. “We were focused on this game. We knew how important it was for both teams. I’m just proud of our guys for showing up in a tough environment and winning a big game.”
Pottsville (9-5, 6-2 D-I) struggled offensively early in the first quarter, shooting 0-for-4 from the 3-point line and 3-for-8 from the field. Blue Mountain (7-7, 4-4) led 9-8 after the frame as Aidan Grace collected five points and Tyeirre Meade added four.
The second quarter contained the spark the Crimson Tide needed. The Eagles led 18-14 before Ryder Bowers hit a 3 to bring Pottsville within one. After a barrage of empty possessions on each side, Bowers hit another 3 in the corner off an assist from Montone to push the Tide ahead 20-18. Montone added a layup at the buzzer to increase Pottsville’s lead to 22-18 at the half.
