The Braves will be stepping smartly into the post-season after beating English Valleys, 59-29, on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at home.
Defense stood out for the Braves, who held the Bears to single digit scoring in each of the first three periods.
“It was a good ending,” said Braves Coach Derrick Dengler.
Montezuma led 14-5 at the quarter and 41-14 at halftime after a 27-9 second period. “The boys made a nice run in the second quarter to secure the game,” Dengler said. “We did a lot of good things with our press.”
Brady Boulton scored 25 points to lead Braves scorers. He was 9-for-15 from the field, including 4-for-8 on three-pointers.
Kohen Holland scored 12 points and was 6-for-7 from the field.
Max Anderson scored 9 for the Braves and Dane Strong had 7.
The Braves limited the Bears to .213 field goal shooting, while playing everyone and still shooting .451.
Boulton had 5 assists and 3 steals.
Kohen blocked three shots.
The loss dropped English Valleys to 2-19.
“Now it’s on to post-season,” said Dengler.
Montezuma moves into post-season play at 14-7.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
English Valleys 5 9 7 13 – 29
Montezuma 14 27 16 2 – 59
MONTEZUMA (59) – Jack Erselius 0-3, 0-0, 0, 0. Dane Strong 2-2, 2-2, 2, 7. Briar Simpson 1-2, 0-0, 0, 2. Garrett Watts 1-4, 0-2, 2, 2. David Rose 1-3, 0-0, 0, 2. Luke Brennan 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0. Brady Boulton 9-15, 3-3, 0, 25. Bryson Stockman 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Alex Black 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Broox Stockman 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Linkyn Bru 0-1, 0-0, 0, 0. Kohen Holland 6-7, 0-0, 1, 12. Easton Hudnut 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Max Anderson 3-12, 0-0, 0, 9. Jayden Ross 0-2, 0-0, 1, 0. Blake Smith 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. TOTALS – 23-51, 5-7, 7, 59.
ENGLISH VALLEYS (29) – TOTALS – 10-47, 5-8, 8, 29.
Line score legend: field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Turnovers: Montezuma 8, English Valleys 18.
Three-pointers: Montezuma 8-30 (Boulton 4-8, Anderson 3-11, Strong 1-1, Erselius 0-3, Simpson 0-1, Watts 0-1, Rose 0-2, Bru 0-1, Ross 0-2); English Valleys 4-22.
Rebounds: Montezuma 29 (Watts 6, Holland 7, Anderson 5, Rose 3, Boulton 3, Strong 2, Erselius 1, Black 1, Brx Stockman 1); English Valleys 29.
Assists: Montezuma 15 (Boulton 5, Watts 4, Anderson 4, Brx Stockman 2).
Steals: Montezuma 10 (Boulton 3, Rose 2, Brennan 2, Simpson 1, Watts 1, Black 1).
Deflections: Montezuma 3 (Watts 2, Boulton 1).
Blocks: Montezuma 7 (Holland 3, Simpson 2, Erselius 1, Boulton 1).