Bravettes’ defense stifles Colfax-Mingo

Shiressa Wetering operates in close at Colfax-Mingo. (Marie Boulton photo).

COLFAX – Montezuma’s defense jump-started its offense and carried the Bravettes to a 49-26 win over Colfax-Mingo on Friday evening, Dec. 13.

The Bravettes’ three-guard lineup pressed the Tigerhawks from the start, forcing turnovers and confusion. The Bravettes converted some of those turnovers and generally set the tone for the game.

Montezuma led 19-5 after one quarter and 28-11 at halftime.

Claire Erselius goes up in traffic for a shot. (Marie Boulton photo).

The Bravettes pushed their lead out to 41-18 after three quarters.

Montezuma looked a little mechanical at times running its set offense, but with the defense the Bravettes threw up, it didn’t matter much in this particular matchup.

The Bravettes shot just .286 from the field, and when the ball doesn’t fall, it could mean it was just an off-night shooting. And, it could mean the opponent was working on defense and Colfax-Mingo did throw up some different looks for the Bravettes.

Guard Ellen Cook was like a never-sleeping, always moving shark, in this case always looking for ways to help her team. She scored 9 points, but also grabbed 8 rebounds and had an almost unrealistic 9 steals. She also dished 5 assists.

Vivian Cook led the Bravettes with 16 points, including 4 three-point baskets.

Shiressa Wetering scored 10 points, blocked 4 shots and had 3 steals.

Syd Burgess continued her good work on the boards, grabbing 8 caroms. She also scored 9 points.

The Bravettes came up with 23 steals on the night.

Montezuma evened its record at 3-3 on the season.

Colfax-Mingo fell to 2-5.

Ellen Cook on a drive. (Marie Boulton photo).

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma   19 9  13 9 – 49
Colfax-Mingo   5 6   7  8 – 26

MONTEZUMA (49) – Ellen Cook 4-18, 1-2, 3, 9; Vivian Cook 6-17, 0-0, 1, 16; Syd Burgess 2-5, 4-6, 3, 9; Claire Erselius 2-6, 0-0, 4, 5; Shiressa Wetering 4-16, 2-2, 2, 10; Lindsey Henry 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0; Lauryn Larmore 0-1, 0-0, 2, 0. TOTALS – 18-63, 7-10, 2, 0.

LINE SCORE LEGEND – field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal foul, total points.

Three-pointers – 6-25 (V. Cook 4-13, Burgess 1-1, Erselius 1-3, Wetering 0-1, Larmore 0-1).

Turnovers – 15.

Rebounds – 28 (Burgess 8, E. Cook 8, Wetering 6, V. Cook 2, Erselius 2, Larmore 2.

Assists – 10 (E. Cook 5, Burgess 2, Erselius 2, V. Cook 1).

Steals – 23 (E. Cook 9, V. Cook 5, Erselius 3, Wetering 3, Burgess 2).

Blocks – 5 (Wetering 4, Burgess 1).