NORTH ENGLISH – Both teams tried to follow their respective game plans, which included that extra pass before shooting, and aggressive defense.
In the end, longer arms paid off for the taller Montezuma Bravettes, who protected their basket when playing in close to it, and tangled up the Iowa Valleys’ passing lanes out front and on the wings.
The result was a 48-23 win for Montezuma over a team that had played just two games coming in, but had won both of them.
The Friday, Dec. 12 win kept the Bravettes unbeaten in South Iowa Cedar League play.
Balanced scoring resulted for Montezuma as a result of that “extra pass” the Bravettes made on most possessions. English Valleys was quick to cover up on defense, but sometimes the Bears couldn’t move as fast as the basketball.
Vivian Cook and Claire Erselius hit three-pointers for Montezuma whenever, it seemed, English Valleys appeared to be starting runs of points.
Montezuma led 12-3 after one quarter, 23-12 at halftime, and 37-17 after outscoring the Bears 14-5 in the third quarter.
Montezuma moved to 4-1 overall, including 3-0 in South Iowa Cedar League play.
The Bears are 2-1, overall and against the league.
Come back later this weekend when we’ll offer complete stats and more detail.
UP NEXT – Montezuma is at BGM on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 12 11 14 11 – 48
English Valleys 3 9 5 6 – 23