CEDAR RAPIDS – When a basketball team makes a mistake, it needs to flush it down the swirly and move on to the next play.
Next play mentality was exactly what the Montezuma Bravettes had against East Buchanan, sharpening their focus when needed and rolling to a 53-38 victory in a Rivalry Saturday game on Nov. 30 at Coe College.
“Even though we had 24 turnovers, I felt like our team was tough,” Coach Janel Burgess said. “We found ways to make crucial defensive stops and we made offensive scores in consecutive series to help us be successful.”
“I was extremely proud of our ball movement,” Burgess added.
East Buchanan is the ninth-rated Class 1A team and moved into the class after going 15-7 as a Class 2A team last year. The Buccaneers returned much of last year’s talent.
The lead see-sawed in the first quarter. Montezuma led 10-8 after one, “then in the second quarter we played some defense and allowed our offense to get started,” Burgess said.
The Bravettes went on a 15-3 tear to lead 23-13 at halftime.
It was back forth again in the third, but the Bravettes finished with a 17-10 fourth quarter advantage to pull away.
Montezuma did some things a team can always do: Rebound and play defense.
The Bravettes out-rebounded the Buccaneers 47-19. Dylan Holland had 13 boards and Shateah Wetering had 11.
On defense, the Bravettes limited their opponent to .276 field goal shooting on 16-for-58. Montezuma was at .426, on 20-for-47.
Elise Boulton scored 15 points for the Bravettes, all of her scoring from behind the three-point line.
Shateah Wetering had 12. Holland scored eight on four-for-five shooting, and Shanae Wetering put in 7 points.
“Our outside shooting threats were powerful when needed, while the inside game with smooth passing was another huge key,” Burgess said.
“Rebounding was a huge difference in this game. The Bravettes were relentless on the boards and found ways to finish possessions on both ends of the floor,” the coach said.
“I think this game truly proved that our girls are ready to have a very solid season. We had a very good opponent today,” Burgess said.
“Each Bravette grew in their new role. Shateah Wetering did a great job of playing point guard, while rolling to the post position when needed,” Burgess said.
“This was a great team win for our program,” said the coach. “Now we get the privilege of hosting North Mahaska on Tuesday night.”
The Bravettes are 2-0, while East Buchanan is 1-1.
UP NEXT: The coach said it: Number four North Mahaska visits top-ranked Montezuma at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
East Buchanan 10 3 15 10 – 38
Montezuma 8 15 13 17 – 53
MONTEZUMA (53): Maddy McKeag 1-3, 0-0, 1, 3. Shanae Wetering 3-3, 1-2, 1, 7. Mia Boulton 2-7, 0-0, 1, 6. Shateah Wetering 4-11, 4-6, 1, 12. Elise Boulton 5-12, 0-0, 1, 15. Carissa Van Zee 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Shelby Conger 1-6, 0-0, 0, 2. Dylan Holland 4-5, 0-0, 2, 8. TOTALS: 20-47, 5-8, 7, 53.
EAST BUCHANAN (38)
TOTALS: 16-58, 4-5, 10, 38.
Line score legend: field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Rebounds: Montezuma 47 (Holland 13, Shat. Wetering 11, E. Boulton 7, M. Boulton 5) East Buchanan 19.
Turnovers: Montezuma 24, East Buchanan 12.
Three-point goals: Monteuzma 8-28 (E. Boulton 5 M. Boulton 2, McKeag 1); East Buchanan 2-12.
Bravette assists leaders: Shat. Wetering 6, Conger 3, Holland 3, M. Boulton 2, E. Boulton 2).
Bravette steals leaders: Shat. Wetering 2, Conger 2, E. Boulton 2.
