NEW SHARON – Signs of a young basketball team include starting a game slowly, then finishing strong to make it close.
The Bravettes showed those signs in each of their first two conference games, a 52-46 loss to Lynnville-Sully, and more recently, a 48-42 defeat by North Mahaska on Friday, Dec. 1.
And those two teams figure to be two of the stronger girls teams in the league.
Against the Warhawks, the Bravettes fell behind 21-10 by halftime, then 38-22 through three quarters.
But then came a 20-10 fourth quarter, which got the Bravettes as close as three points in the final minute. North Mahaska held on for the win, 48-42.
Post player Shiressa Wetering scored 12 points on 6-for-11 shooting. She grabbed 7 rebounds and blocked 3 shots.
Claire Erselius scored 11 points, including 3-for-5 from behind the 3-point arc.
Freshman Sydnee Burgess starting looking to score the ball more and tallied 8 points. She also had 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists and a steal.
Jadyn Sharer chipped in with 7 rebounds, and Izzy Roorda had two assists.
Breckyn Schilling led the Bears with 19 points, but she needed 26 shots to make 7 baskets against the Bravette defense. Schilling also had 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
Regan Grewe had 12 points and Kayla Readshaw had 8 for the Warhawks.
A key factor in the game was turnovers. North Mahaska made 15, but the Bravettes had 24.
NOTE: Our usual line boxscores will resume a bit later when my eyesight clears and it’s easier to transcribe!
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 7 3 12 20 – 42
N. Mahaska 8 13 17 10 – 48