KNOXVILLE – Montezuma’s Cole Watts had some problems hitting three-pointers in his two previous games.
But when he saw the kind of defense Nodaway Valley was playing – a box-and-one zone aimed at stopping teammate Trey Shearer – he knew what he had to do.
Shoot it. Make it. Then shoot again.
Watts put down four of them without a miss in the game’s first three minutes, starting the Braves to a night of domination, 58-35, and on the way to a return trip to the state tournament.
The game was a Class 1A sub-state contest played Saturday night, Feb. 29.
It was more than an offensive show for the Braves, who contested just about everything the Wolverines attempted.
Watts wound going seven-for-nine from behind the arc, on his way to a game-high 26 points.
Nodaway Valley, a team that shot .340 on three-balls, wound up one-for-22 from back there in this game.
“We did a great job defensively again,” Braves Coach Derrick Dengler said.
Nodaway Valley also was quick on defense, and kept the Braves in its sights until late.
Montezuma led 14-4 after one quarter and extended its lead to 24-8 during the first three minutes of the second quarter.
When the Wolverines came out to contest the three-shooters, the Braves attacked the inside, or employed drive-and-dish tactics.
But Montezuma missed a few shots and Nodaway Valley scored the last seven points of the quarter to trail 24-15 at the half.
Trey Shearer opened the second half with a three, then passed ahead to Masin Shearer for a layup and a 29-15 advantage.
Trey scored after a backdoor pass from Eddie Burgess, then Watts scored on a drive and was fouled. He made the free throw – Montezuma’s first attempt from the line of the game – and it was 39-22.
“I thought we did a great job controlling the ball,” Dengler said. “We were able to get that early lead behind some hot shooting by Cole (Watts) and maintain that the rest of the game.”
It wasn’t always a smooth ride. Burgess, Montezuma’s 6-4 sophomore post who has been delivering double-double totals lately, picked up his third personal foul moments into the fourth quarter and the Braves had to do without him for a while.
Again, 6-1 freshman Owen Cook gave the Braves important minutes.
During his 25 minutes of play, Burgess scored two points, but was effective in other ways. He had five rebounds, six assists, a steal, a deflection and blocked two shots.
Trey Shearer began shedding his defender, hit a three and later drove for two to give the Braves a 47-26 lead with five minutes left to play.
After that, Montezuma started killing clock and extended its lead by making free throws.
The Braves shot .564 from the field, including nine-for-18 from behind the arc. Nodaway Valley shot .304 and that included one-for-22 on threes.
With no starter other than Burgess standing taller than 5-10, the Braves spend a lot of practice time blocking out, going to the boards, and outlet passing after securing the ball.
Trey Shearer led Montezuma’s rebounders with eight, Watts had six, Burgess his five and Brayden Arendt had four. Montezuma had a 25-22 lead in rebounds, although the Wolverines were not tall and also had quickness.
Clay Holhertz led Nodaway Valley with 16 points, one over his average. But another 15-point scorer, Toby Bower, was shut out. Josh Baudler, who defensively was Trey Shearer’s shadow in the Nodaway Valley zone, scored seven points.
Trey Shearer dropped in 15 for the Braves, Masin Shearer had nine, and Brayden Arendt scored six and Burgess added two points.
Montezuma moves on to state with a 23-2 record. Nodaway Valley closed its season at 17-8.
“I have been very impressed with the boys’ effort and focus,” Dengler said.
UP NEXT – Montezuma plays in the Class 1A state tournament March 9-13. We’re expecting to see pairings after two Monday, March 2 sub-state games in other classes are completed.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Nodaway Valley 4 11 7 12 – 35
Montezuma 14 10 15 19 – 58
MONTEZUMA (58) – Brayden Arendt 2-6, 2-3, 3, 6. Masin Shearer 4-7, 0-0, 0, 9. Cole Watts 9-11, 1-1, 1, 26. Trey Shearer 6-11, 2-2, 1, 15. Owen Cook 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Eddie Burgess 1-4, 0-0, 4, 2. TOTALS – 22-39, 5-6, 9, 58.
NODAWAY VALLEY (35)
TOTALS – 14-46, 6-7, 12, 35.
Line score legend: Field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Turnovers: Montezuma 7, Nodaway Valley 6.
Rebounds: Montezuma 25 (T. Shearer 8, Watts 6, Burgess 5, Arendt 4, team 2); Nodaway Valley 22.
Three-point goals: Montezuma 9-18 (Watts 7-9, T. Shearer 1-3, M. Shearer 1-4, Arendt 0-2); Nodaway Valley 1-22.
Technical foul: Arendt.
Assists: Burgess 6, T. Shearer 6, M. Shearer 2, Arendt 1.
Steals: M. Shearer 1, Watts 1, Burgess 1.
Deflections: T. Shearer 3, Arendt 1, M. Shearer 1, Burgess 1.
Blocks: Burgess 2, Watts 1.
