NEW SHARON – The Montezuma Braves showed defense and more in kicking off their basketball season with a 60-44 win over North Mahaska on Tuesday evening, Dec. 2.
Defense figures to be a strong suit for this Montezuma team and it was in evidence early in this game. Montezuma led 21-7 after one quarter, and 36-16 at halftime.
“I thought our team did a nice job of of limiting their post players, who had a size advantage – and were good players – from getting easy shots,” said Braves Coach Derrick Dengler. “This was a big key to the win.”
More keys: Montezuma edges in turnovers and outside shooting.
The Braves helped to create 19 North Mahaska turnovers. Montezuma made 13.
The Braves also made three more three-point baskets.
The Warhawks did out-rebound the Braves 33-23, but that advantage didn’t appear to help North Mahaska a great deal.
Montezuma senior guard Brady Boulton connected for 24 points in the opener to lead all scorers. He also had seven steals, six assists, two blocked shots and three rebounds.
Talen Holland’s first varsity start produced 12 points, on 5-for-10 field goal shooting. Easton Hudnut scored 10, on four-for-ten from the floor.
Montezuma shot .361 from the field (22-for-61) while the Warhawks were at .353 (18-for-51).
Holland led Braves’ rebounders with five.
Jaxon VanDerVeer led North Mahaska scorers with 16 points.
“Our boys did a nice job of playing with great effort for the entire game,” Dengler said. “It was a good first game.”
The Braves are 1-0, overall and SICL, heading into a non-league game on Saturday, Nov. 6, at Baxter.
Montezuma 60, North Mahaska 44
Score by quarters
Montezuma 21 15 14 10 – 60
N. Mahaska 7 8 13 16 – 44
Montezuma (60): Dane Strong 2-11, 0-0, 1, 5; Easton Hudnut 4-10, 0-1, 2, 10; Talen Holland 5-10, 2-5, 4, 12; Luke Brennan 3-4, 0-0, 0, 6; Brady Boulton 7-18, 7-8, 2, 24; Brooks Wilson 1-3, 0-0, 2, 3; Kadem Latcham 0-3, 0-0, 0, 0; Aidan Chidester 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0; Linkyn Bru 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0; Tommy Heemstra 0-2, 0-0, 0, 0; Breyer Chidester 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. TOTALS – 22-61, 9-14, 11, 60.
North Mahaska (44): TOTALS – 18-51, 4-9, 18, 44.
Turnovers: Montezuma 13, North Mahaska 19.
Three-pointers: Montezuma 7-20 (Boulton 3-9, Hudnut 2-8, Strong 1-6, Brennan 0-1, Wilson 1-2); NM 4-23.
Rebounds: Montezuma 23 (Holland 5, Hudnut 4, Strong 3, Brennan 4, Boulton 3, Heemstra 4); NM 33.
Assists: Montezuma 10 (Boulton 6, Strong 2, Brennan 2); North Mahaska 4.
Steals: Montezuma 17 (Boulton 7, Brennan 6, Strong 1, Holland 1, Hudnut 1, Heemstra 1); North Mahaska 8.
Blocks: Montezuma 4 (Strong 2, Boulton 2); North Mahaska 3).
North Mahaska scoring leader: Jaxon VanDerVeer 16.