THORNBURG – Montezuma’s varsity boys are undisputed South Iowa Cedar League champions for a fourth straight year after their 80-33 run past Tri-County on Thursday, Feb. 3.
Montezuma (16-3 overall, 14-2 SICL) got the league lead Tuesday in its win over North Mahaska. The Braves needed to seal the deal with a win Thursday, and they left no doubt against an overmatched Trojans team that entered with a 1-17 record.
This game was a makeup for one weathered out earlier.
Montezuma’s edges in speed and quickness made getting to the rim for scores, or dishing for threes, fairly uncomplicated.
The Braves defended well, too, except for a stretch in the second quarter where they allowed consecutive layups, prompting Coach Derrick Dengler to call time.
“It’s always a challenge to be motivated defensively in these games, but it gave us a good opportunity to work on some of our pressing concepts,” Dengler said.
Montezuma led 23-6 after one quarter, 49-21 at halftime, and 66-26 through three.
Four Braves scored in double figures, with Eddie Burgess at 21, Nik Kotar at 19, Owen Cook at 12 and Colton Benson with 10.
Burgess pulled down 18 rebounds to lead a big Montezuma edge in that department. Eddie was 10-for-18 from the field, and Kotar was 8-for-10.
By the way, Burgess has been a starter for the Braves on the last four SICL championship teams.
The Braves played without guard Masin Shearer, who was injured toward the end of the North Mahaska game. He was on hand, though, just sitting this one out.
The Braves were unselfish on offense, assisting 20 of their 34 field goals. On defense, they did press at times. It’s a major part of their identity, and they need to stay sharp, because . . .
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS ARE DEAD AHEAD – The Braves will finish their regular season against two good Class 2 teams: Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont on Friday, and Grundy Center on Monday. Both games are at home.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 23 26 17 14 – 80
Tri-County 6 15 5 7 – 33
MONTEZUMA (80) – Jack Erselius 0-0, 2-2, 0, 2. Gavin Strong 3-9, 1-1, 2, 8. Garrett Watts 0-5, 0-0, 0, 0. Max Anderson 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Maguire De Jong 2-5, 1-1, 2, 5. Nik Kotar 8-10, 1-2, 1, 19. Alex Black 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Colton Benson 5-5, 0-0, 1, 10. Owen Cook 5-7, 2-2, 0, 12. Houston VanRoekel 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Jeremy Williams 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Eddie Burgess 10-18, 0-0, 0, 21. Sawyer Tindle 0-0, 0-2, 0, 0. Cam Michalek 1-2, 0-0, 0, 3. Ryan Cheney 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. TOTALS – 34-61, 7-10, 6, 80.
TRI-COUNTY (33) – TOTALS – 14-48, 0-2, 13, 33.
Line score legend: Field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Turnovers: Montezuma 14, Tri-County 21.
Three-pointers: Montezuma 5-15 (Kotar 2-3, Strong 1-4, Burgess 1-2, Michalek 1-2, Watts 0-2, Cook 0-1); Tri-County 5-23.
Rebounds: Montezuma 41 (Burgess 18, Cook 7, Watts 3, Kotar 3, Strong 2, Benson 2, Tindle 1, Michalek 2, Black 1, De Jong 2); Tri-County 18.
Assists: Montezuma 20 (Burgess 4, Kotar 4, Strong 3, Cook 3, Watts 2, Anderson 1, De Jong 2, Benson 1).
Steals: Montezuma 13 (Watts 4, Kotar 3, Strong 2, De Jong 2, Cook 1, Erselius 1).
Blocks: Montezuma 3 (Burgess 2, Kotar 1).