STATE CENTER – Montezuma started and finished strong in outscoring West Marshall 75-58 in a scrimmage on Monday evening, Nov. 25.
The contest didn’t count as a win or a loss for either side, but it provided the coaches with an analytical tool as it was played under game conditions.
The Braves jumped out to a 23-13 first quarter lead. It stayed pretty much that way over the next two quarters, before Montezuma put up a 19-11 fourth period to extend its third quarter margin from nine to 14 points.
The Braves encountered some opposing quickness as the Trojans, who represent a larger school, return three double figures scorers from their 14-8 team last year.
“We were happy with our energy and effort,” said Braves Coach Derrick Dengler.
“I thought we came out a little too excited,” said the coach. “But, we settled down and eventually made some good plays in transition.”
Trey Shearer led the Braves with 31 points, all of them from two-point range or the free throw line.
Cole Watts scored 19, and Eddie Burgess dropped in 16.
“We didn’t shoot great from behind the arc (6-for-21), but I was happy that we were able to generate good offense by attacking the paint,” Dengler said.
Both teams wound up shooting well overall. The Braves were at .547 from the field on 29-for-53. The Trojans shot .521 on 25-for-58.
The difference: Montezuma put itself on the line for 13 more free throws, and outscored West Marshall 11-0 from there.
The Braves also held their own on the boards, with a 26-25 lead in caroms.
“Defensively, we have several areas to focus on and grow,” Dengler said. “We did a good job of adjusting to how the scrimmage was officiated, but we have to improve our ability to stay on our feet.”
The Braves had 12 steals on the night. Trey Shearer had three of those and so did Burgess, who also had six deflections as the Trojans found it difficult to get effective inside penetration.
UP NEXT – Montezuma hosts its jamboree on Friday evening, Nov. 29, starting at 6 p.m. Four teams will play one half of basketball. GMG will take on Lynnville-Sully at 6, with Montezuma playing BCLUW in the nightcap.
Score by quarters
Montezuma 23 16 17 19 – 75
W. Marshall 13 15 19 11 – 58
MONTEZUMA (75) – Brydon Henning 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Brayden Arendt 2-4, 0-0, 0, 4. Masin Shearer2-7, 0-2, 2, 4. Connor Van Zee 0-1, 0-0, 0, 0. Cole Watts 7-12, 2-3, 3, 19. Joey Kercheval 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0. Trey Shearer 12-20, 7-10, 1, 31. Colton Benson 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Owen Cook 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Gavin Strong 0-1, 0-0, 0, 0. Eddie Burgess 6-8, 2-3, 3, 16. TOTALS – 29-53, 11-18, 10, 75
WEST MARSHALL (58)
TOTALS – 25-58, 0-5, 14, 58.
Line score legend: Field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Three-point goals: Montezuma 6 (Watts 3, Burgess 2, Arendt 1). West Marshall 8.
Rebounds: Montezuma 26 (leaders Burgess 12, Watts 4). West Marshall 25.
Turnovers: Montezuma 9, West Marshall 14.
Steals: Montezuma 12 (T. Shearer 3, Burgess 3, M. Shearer 2, Watts 2). West Marshall 1.
Assists: T. Shearer 5, M. Shearer 2, Watts 2, Burgess 2.
Deflections: Burgess 6, T. Shearer 3.
Block: Burgess 1.