Montezuma’s songs were “perseverance” on offense and “keep showing them something different” on defense.
When the music stopped, the Bravettes stood one win away from a trip to the state girls basketball tournament.
Montezuma’s girls prevailed 45-42 over Springville in a nervous Class 1A regional semifinals game Friday night at home.
The Bravettes, who trailed 22-18 at halftime after scoring 3 points in the second quarter, turned things in their favor with a pair of runs – 7 points to start the third quarter, and 9 points starting late in the third and continuing into the fourth period.
During that time, Montezuma was making changes in its defense. The Orioles seemed to take it all in. They didn’t attack like they had earlier, and Montezuma initiated.
But the outcome remained in doubt until the end, because these were different but well-matched teams.
“We played through a physical defensive battle and won,” said Montezuma Coach Janel Burgess. “We didn’t shoot the ball well, but we rebounded it extremely well. Our three seniors (Mia Boulton, Kallie Robison and Madison Johannes) are special and they showed how united they are.”
Boulton, the Bravettes’ season points leader, didn’t score in the first half. Shiressa Wetering, one of the team’s posts, picked up two fouls in the first quarter and didn’t play the rest of the half.
One thing I haven’t said in so many words is how diverse this team has become.
Boulton didn’t score? So where would the Bravettes be without Jadyn Sharer’s 11 first quarter points? She nailed a trio of treys in the first, and wound up with 13 points.
Boulton came back with 11 points in the second half.
And Robison had maybe her finest hour, scoring 11 points on 5-for-6 shooting, while also leading the Bravettes with 8 rebounds.
Springville was quick on defense. A full-court 1-3-1 zone press bothered the Bravettes, especially during their three-point second quarter. The press led to turnovers, and deflections which threw off Montezuma’s rhythm. The Bravettes had open looks at treys, but may have hurried some of those shots.
The Orioles pushed their lead to 32-27 with just 56 seconds left in the third quarter. But Boulton splashed down a trey, and just before the quarter break, Claire Erselius stole a pass and played beat the clock with an over-her-head layup just before the buzzer to tie the score.
Robison played the two-man-game, once with Boulton, another time with Johannes, and rolled to the hoop for easy baskets.
Two free throws by Boulton pushed Montezuma’s lead to 45-42 – the final score – with 43.4 seconds left.
In the closing seconds, the Bravettes missed a pair of free throws, but the Orioles only had time to throw a desperation trey from near mid-court. It missed, and Montezuma had a difficult win over a worthy opponent.
Springville had 21 turnovers, to 15 by the Bravettes.
Molly Stamp scored 18 points for the Orioles, on 7-for-11 shooting. Rowan Jacobi, a 6-1 freshman, scored 12 and had 9 rebounds.
“I am extremely proud of our young ladies,” Burgess said. “Our band and fans were awesome tonight. They truly helped us stick with it during the ups and downs ot the game.”
The band drew positive comments from Springville’s announcers and from Leff Linder of the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
UP NEXT – The Bravettes will take a 21-3 mark to the regional championship game on Wednesday night at Benton Community. The opponent: 21-1 North Linn.
DID YOU KNOW? Springville was a 7-point favorite accordng to BCMoore Rankings. . .One of the teams’ common opponents was Alburnett. The Orioles had a close win over them; the Bravettes had a close loss. Then, later in the season, Springville blasted them, 70-29. They made some serious adjustments, apparently . . .
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Springville 14 8 10 10 – 42
Montezuma 15 3 14 13 – 45
MONTEZUMA (45)
Madison Johannes 1-7, 0-2, 1, 3. Ellen Cook 1-11, 0-2, 1, 3. Izzy Roorda 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0. Claire Erselius 1-4, 0-0, 2, 2. Mia Boulton 3-9, 4-7, 2, 11. Jadyn Sharer 5-8, 0-0, 0, 13. Kallie Robison 5-6, 1-2, 0, 11. Shiressa Wetering 0-0, 2-2, 2, 2. TOTALS – 16-45, 7-15, 9, 45.
SPRINGVILLE (42)
TOTALS – 17-44, 2-3, 15, 42.
Line score legend: field goals made-attempted, free throws made attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Three-pointers: Montezuma 6-24 (Sharer 3-4, Boulton 1-5, Johannes 1-6, Cook 1-7, Erselius 0-2); Springville 6-18.
Turnovers: Montezuma 15, Springville 21.
Rebounds: Montezuma 25 (Robison 8, Cook 4, Boulton 4, Johannes 3, Sharer 2, Wetering 2, Roorda 1, Erselius 1); Springville 25.
Assists: Montezuma 9 (Cook 4 Johannes 2, Boulton 2, Erselius 1).
Steals: Montezuma 5 (Johannes 1, Erselius 1, Boulton 1, Sharer 1, Wetering 1).