By Coach Doug Helm
JH girls basketball coach
MONTEZUMA – The junior high A team girls resumed their basketball season on Monday, January 13, when the North Mahaska Warhawks visited Montezuma.
he Warhawks came out focused and on fire. They jumped to a 15-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Monte was able to slightly cut into the lead in the 2nd quarter as North Mahaska took an 18-13 lead to the break.
North Mahaska scored quickly into the second half but but from then on the Bravettes clamped down on defense.
The 3rd quarter was a 7-7 stalemate. With NM in the lead 25-20, Brylee Latcham found Mallory Warden for a corner 3. The momentum was starting to turn as Kady Schmidt found Mallory for a long 2-pointer to tie the game.
The game was still tied 25-25 with 1 minute left. Kady located a wide-open Baylea Smith under the hoop for an open layup to make it 27-25. This was the Bravettes’ first lead of the game. With 23 seconds remaining, Brielle Haughey scored a power point to seal the win for the Bravettes. The final was 29-25.
Monte shot 12-45 (27%) from the field, 2-12 from the 3-point range and 3-8 from the free throw line. North Mahaska shot 9-39 (23%) from the field, 2-10 from the 3-point line and 5-12 from the free throw line. The Bravettes outrebounded the Warhawks 38-31. Monte had 11 turnovers and NM had 14.
Brielle Haughey had a strong game. She had 12 points, 17 points, 4 steals and a block. Mallory Warden had 7 points with a 3-pointer. Kady Schmidt had 4 points, 4 assists and a block. Brylee Latcham had a 3-pointer, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and a block. Baylea Smith had 2 points and a block. Keegan Gunderson had a free throw.
The Montezuma Bravettes A-team moves to 6-3 on the season. Their next game will be on January 16 at Baxter.