This may be a little hard for opponents to digest, but even after going 23-2 and to the state semifinals last season, Montezuma this year is still a young basketball team.
“This year will be exciting because I believe we will grow in all aspects,” Coach Janel Burgess said.
“Our leadership will rapidly grow. Our ability to defend the entire 84 feet will blossom as we continue to play together. And, our offensive threats will grow in confidence as the season progresses.”
The Bravettes were scheduled to play in a scrimmage at Lynnville-Sully on Monday, Nov. 15. The season opens at Pella Christian on Tuesday, Nov. 23.
Burgess said her players put in a lot of time over the summer preparing to be the best they can be on the basketball court.
“We had six solid weeks of skills development and a few scrimmages,” she said.
“Our teams have also had a lot of success in the fall and I believe this will lead to success on the court,” she said.
The coach spent some time talking about key returnees:
Shanae Wetering, a 5-11 senior forward. “She will need to continue to grow as scorer and lead us in rebounding,” Burgess said.
Wetering was the team’s second leading scorer last season at 11.2 points per game. She led in rebounding with 4.8 per contest.
Mia Boulton, 5-3 junior guard. “She has expanded her game in all aspects,” Burgess said.
Mia was the third top scorer a year ago at 10.8 per game. She averaged 2.0 assists.
Madison Johannes, 5-3 junior guard. “She is a little rottweiler who will be amazing people with her growth on both ends of the court,” said the coach.
Johannes averaged 4.2 points and 1.5 assists last year, as well as being a lockdown defender.
Jadyn Sharer, 5-7 sophomore guard – “She is our other returner who has improved as an all-around player as well,” Burgess said.
“From there, we have a lot of new faces who will get their first opportunity to wear the Bravette uniform on the varsity side consistently,” said the coach.
“This could be the greatest year of growth we have had in recent years, from Nov. 8 to the end of the season,” Burgess said.
Montezuma’s coach called North Mahaska the team to beat in the SICL conference. “They return four starters and add a very talented freshman,” Burgess said.
“Lynnville-Sully will be very good as usual and we know Sigourney will be competitive and scrappy.”
“Each night the focus for our team will not be our competition, but ourselves. The question we must answer nightly is, ‘are we growing and giving to each other to the best of our abilities?” Burgess said.
“Our opponents will be good and will test us, especially before the Christmas break, but we can just grow and embrace our roles,” Burgess said.
“Our team will play hard, VERY hard the entire game,” Burgess said. “We will enjoy playing together and working to be one unit, focused on improving for the betterment of our team success,” she said.
“I can’t wait to see how we grow each game!”
Varsity Bravettes
Seniors – Shanae Wetering, 5-11, F; Korrinn Kehoe, 5-9, F.
Juniors – Madison Johannes, 5-3, G; Mia Boulton, 5-3, G; Abby Cheney, 5-1, G; Kallie Robison, 5-10, F.
Sophomores – Jadyn Sharer, 5-7, G; Izzy Roorda, 5-8, F; Alivia Cline, 5-4, G; Laila Kercheval, 5-6, F; Jordan Ranfeld, 5-6, F.
Freshmen – Ellen Cook, 5-6, G; Shiressa Wetering, 5-11, F.