By Doug Helm
JH girls basketball coach
The Montezuma Bravettes B-team played host to the HLV Warriors on Monday, November 17.
Montezuma got off to a strong start, scoring 9 points in the first quarter, with Teagan Sutherland contributing 7 of those, including a 3-pointer. This gave the Bravettes a 9-5 lead after the first quarter.
The second quarter was evenly matched, with each team adding 6 points, so Montezuma took a 15-11 advantage into halftime.
HLV came out fast at the start of the third quarter, pulling ahead 19-17, but the Bravettes rallied late in the period to reclaim the lead, 21-19, entering the fourth quarter.
Both teams found it hard to score in the final quarter. With one minute left, HLV tied the game at 23-23 and had several chances to pull ahead in the closing seconds.
However, the Bravettes maintained solid defense. HLV missed a corner three-pointer with 14 seconds to go, and Aubrey Bardwell grabbed the rebound before racing down the court.
As she attempted a layup, she was fouled from behind with 9 seconds left and the game still tied. Aubrey made the first free throw, putting Montezuma up 24-23 as the crowd erupted. She missed the second shot but applied pressure on defense during HLV’s final possession. The Bravettes’ swarming defense prevented the Warriors from getting off a last shot before time ran out, securing a 24-23 win for Montezuma.
Montezuma went 10-39 on two-point shots, 1-2 from beyond the arc, and 1-6 from the line. HLV countered with 11-46 on two-pointers, 0-5 on three-pointers, and 1-4 on free throws. The Warriors led in rebounds 37 to Montezuma’s 30. The Bravettes committed 21 turnovers and the Warriors 23.
Teagan Sutherland paced the Bravettes with 17 points (including a 3-pointer), along with 5 steals and a block. Amber Hindeman added 4 points and 5 rebounds.
Aubrey Bardwell scored 1 point and tallied 5 rebounds. Karley Eichenberger pulled in 8 rebounds and recorded a block. Elise Mathes contributed 3 assists and 3 steals.
Up next, the Bravettes will play at Sigourney on Thursday, Nov. 20.