MORAVIA – In high school games, matchups are just about everything.
That’s why when two teams match well, like Moravia and Montezuma did Monday night, Jan. 29, you can get something special.
Montezuma put together a strong fourth quarter and persevered over Moravia, 79-73, in a non-conference spectacle.
Actually, it was a decisive fourth quarter to cap a strong entire game.
It was an up-and-down contest in three of the four quarters as the teams matched strengths.
The Braves shot a sizzling .525 from the field, while the Mohawks were at .450.
“It definitely was two teams that got hot,” said Braves Coach Derrick Dengler. “I thought there were some really good players on both sides who just made good basketball plays. Thankfully, we made a few more.”
Montezuma led 20-17 after one quarter. The second quarter was the one not played at such a break-neck pace, and the Mohawks had it tied 32-32 at halftime.
Moravia outscored the Braves 24-23 in the third to lead by one point.
But the Braves finished with authority on both ends of the floor, outscoring the Mohawks 24-17 in the fourth to cart off the six-point win.
Moravia has won 32 of its last 37 games. Two of the five losses have been to Montezuma – in the post-season last year, then Monday.
The Mohawks returned three key starters from last year’s 21-2 team.
Brady Boulton poured in 33 points for Montezuma, on 14-for-28 shooting. And he had major help.
A big part of the story was the play of forward Garrett Watts. He got himself open in the middle of the Moravia defense and also crashed the boards. He scored 21 points and led the Braves with 9 rebounds.
Wing forward Max Anderson was hot from three-point range, knocking down four-of-8 from back there and scoring 17 points.
Forward Kohen Holland was next with 6 points – coming on 3-for-3 shooting. Those weren’t necessarily the winning six, but keep in mind Montezuma won by six, so they were important. Two were two free throws made by guard David Rose, who has played a more prominent role in recent games.
There were 12 turnovers in this game – total. That helped to make it pleasurable to watch.
“It was a very good non-conference game as we prepare for the post-season,” Dengler said.
Montezuma took its overall record to 11-6.
Moravia is 11-3.
UP NEXT – The Braves and Bravettes host HLV on Tuesday, Jan. 30. It is Senior Night.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 20 12 23 24 – 79
Moravia 17 15 24 17 – 73
MONTEZUMA (79) – Dane Strong 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Briar Simpson 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Garrett Watts 9-16, 3-5, 3, 21. David Rose 0-3, 2-2, 3, 2. Brady Boulton 14-28, 2-2, 1, 33. Alex Black 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0. Kohen Holland 3-3, 0-0, 4, 6. Max Anderson 6-11, 1-2, 1, 17. TOTALS – 32-61, 8-11, 13, 79.
MORAVIA (73) – TOTALS – 27-60, 11-14, 13, 73.
Line score legend: field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Turnovers: Montezuma 5, Moravia 7.
Three-pointers: Montezuma 7-19 (Anderson 4-8, Boulton 3-9, Watts 0-1, Rose 0-1); Moravia 8-24.
Rebounds: Montezuma 25 (Watts 9, Rose 4, Boulton 3, Holland 3, Anderson 3, Strong 2, Simpson 1); Moravia 31.
Assists: Montezuma 8 (Watts 3, Boulton 4, Rose 1).
Steals: Montezuma 6 (Rose 2, Boulton 2, Anderson 2).
Deflections: Montezuma 2 (Black, Holland).
Blocks: Montezuma 4 (Watts 2, Holland 2).