In a defenses-oriented battle, it was a 16-0 rush of points in the first half that gave the Montezuma Bravettes the working capital they needed against North Mahaska.
The Bravettes, locked in a 21-21 tie, put up those 16 points in about three minutes, and held off a late rally attempt to beat the Warhawks 55-40 on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at home.
The Bravettes have a two-game lead on the Warhawks on loss side as the season enters its stretch run.
Four Bravettes reached double figures, led by senior guard Elise Boulton’s 15 points.
It was Boulton’s defense in the second quarter, digging the ball away from Warhawks players on two occasions, that ignited the run. A dozen of Montezuma’s 16 points on the scoring run came on three-point baskets, one by Elise and three by her sister, Mia Boulton.
Montezuma, fueled by its 24-6 margin in the second quarter, led 37-21 at halftime.
A third straight three-pointer by the Warhawks closed the Montezuma lead to 47-40 with 3:15 to go, then the Bravettes held the ball until shaking Elise Boulton free for a layup with 1:35 to play that pushed the lead out to nine points. “Elise was not going to let that game slip away,” Montezuma Coach Janel Burgess said. “She is definitely a competitor.”
North Mashaka jumped the passing lanes against the Montezuma offense, preventing good looks for Monteuma’s trey shooters. But not all the time. “Offensively, we need to continue to grow and get downhill or into the paint,” Burgess said.
But the Bravettes were stingy on defense, too, repeatedly denying entry passes for North Mahaska’s inside players. “I thought our defense was tremendous for the most part,” Burgess said. “We had very good strong help and we made them pass over us. I thought we were also very scrappy on defense.”
Shanae Wetering and Dylan Holland added 13 points each for the Bravettes, while Mia Boulton had 11.
The Bravettes had 17 turnovers, to 23 by the Warhawks. “North Mahaska had a great game plan and we will continue to see pressure defense,” Burgess said. “All of our Bravettes are capable of getting to the paint, but we have to make that a HUGE point of emphasis as we finish the regular season.”
Layla Hargis led the Warhawks with 14 points and seven rebounds. She was the only double figures scorer, but Madison McKay was close with nine. Breanna Fogle grabbed six rebounds for Coach L.E. Moore’s team.
It was Montezuma’s 15th straight victory. The Bravettes. who have a non-league loss, stand at 12-0 in conference play.
North Mahaska lost for the first time since meeting the Bravettes in the season opener Dec. 1. The Warhawks are 8-2 overall and 7-2 against the league.
UP NEXT – Montezuma hosts Colfax-Mingo on Friday, Jan. 22.
MONTEZUMA (55)
Shanae Wetering 6-16, 1-2, 2, 13. Kierstyn Price 0-2, 1-2, 3, 1. Mia Boulton 3-6, 2-3, 0, 11. Elise Boulton 5-15, 3-4, 1, 15. Dylan Holland 6-10, 1-1, 3, 13. Madison Johannes 0-3, 0-0, 2, 0. Jadyn Sharer 1-1, 0-0, 1, 2. Korrinn Kehoe 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. TOTALS – 21-53, 8-12, 12, 55.
NORTH MAHASKA (40)
TOTALS – 15-37, 5-6, 15, 40.
Line score legend: Field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Turnovers: North Mahaska 23, Montezuma 17.
Three-point goals: North Mahaska 5-15, Montezuma 5-20 (M. Boulton 3-6, E. Boulton 2-5, Price 0-1, Holland 0-2, Wetering 0-3, Johannes 0-3).
Rebounds: North Mahaska 20, Montezuma 24 (Holland 6, Wetering 5, M. Boulton 3, E. Boulton 3, Johannes 3, Price 2, Sharer 1, Kehoe 1).
Assists: North Mahaska 10, Montezuma 9 (E. Boulton 7, M. Boulton 1, Holland 1).
Steals: North Mahaska 8, Montezuma 14 (Holland 6, Wetering 5, Johannes 2, M. Boulton 1).
Blocks: North Mahaska 4, Montezuma 1 (Sharer 1).
