MONTEZUMA – The start looked ominous for Montezuma: Visiting Keota 21, Braves 7.
The Braves flushed that one and started forward. Make that FAST forward!
The Braves outscored the previously unbeaten Eagles 48-22 during the middle two quarters, and finished with a 72-63 come-from-behind masterpiece win in an important SICL boys game on Friday, Jan. 3.
Braves junior guard Brady Boulton poured in 37 points as Montezuma (now 7-1) pulled up alongside Keota (also 7-1) in the league race. Both teams still trail in the SICL, but just by one game with the start of the season’s second half just under way.
Boulton’s line included 11-for-24 from the field, 10-for-11 from the free throw line, 7 steals and 6 assists. He was 5-for-12 on three-pointers.
Dane Strong scored 13 points and Kohen Holland added 9 for the home team, while Max Anderson’s 6 rebounds helped the Braves hold their own on the boards (28 to Keota’s 33) with the taller Eagles.
The Braves knocked down 10 three-point shots in the game, and came up with 11 steals.
Montezuma led 7-2 in points off the bench, and by a resounding 10-1 on rebounds from guys in off the bench.
Keota got 20 points from Chaise Haifley, 18 from Billie Kindred and 16 rebounds from the 6-5 Kindred.
UP NEXT – The Braves are at a larger school, Centerville, on Tuesday, Jan. 8. Another larger school, PCM, comes of Montezuma on Thursday, Jan. 9. The Braves play a league game at Belle Plaine on Friday, Jan. 10.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
KEOTA 21 10 11 21 – 63
MONTEZUMA 7 19 29 17 – 72
MONTEZUMA (72) – Dane Strong 5-9, 0-0, 2, 13; David Rose 2-2, 0-0, 1, 4; Brady Boulton 11-14, 10-11, 1, 37; Kohen Holland 3-6, 3-3, 5, 9; Max Anderson 0-7, 2-2, 3, 2; Easton Hudnut 2-6, 0-0, 0, 6; Luke Brennan 0-3, 1-2, 1, 1; Broox Stockman 0-0, 0-0, 4, 0. TOTALS – 23-57, 16-18, 17, 72.
KEOTA – (63) – 22-53, 12-16, 22, 63.
LINE SCORE LEGEND: field goals made/attempted, free throws made/attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Three-point goals: Montezuma 10-31 (Boulton 5-12, Strong 3-7, Hudnut 2-6, Anderson 0-4, Brennan 0-2); Keota 7-22.
Turnovers: Montezuma 12, Keota 15.
Rebounds: Montezuma 26 (Anderson 6, Brennan 5, Boulton 4, Holland 4, Hudnut 3, Strong 2, Stockman 2); Keota 34.
Assists: Montezuma 11 (Boulton 6, Anderson 3, Brennan 2). Keota 7.
Steals: Montezuma 11 (Boulton 7, Rose 2, Strong 1, Brennan 1); Keota 4.
Blocks – Montezuma 2 (Strong 1, Anderson 1); Keota none.
KEOTA LEADERS
Points – Chaise Haifley 20, Billie Kindred 18, Jace Chalupa 17.
Rebounds – Kindred 16.