The Montezuma Bravettes dropped in 13 three-point baskets and defended with tenacity in a 63-27 run past Belle Plaine on Tuesday evening, Jan. 11.
Belle Plaine came in with a 9-3 record, but couldn’t match Montezuma’s hand and foot speed.
The Bravettes passed over or through a Belle Plaine zone defense to get their shots, which usually came on wide-open looks.
On the other end, the Bravettes sealed off the inside against the Plainsmen, who had some height inside.
”We are growing in so many categories, and I am extremely proud how we are rising to challenges,” Bravettes Coach Janel Burgess said.
Montezuma led 17-6 after one quarter, 33-9 at halftime, and 47-23 through three as Belle Plaine and the Bravettes each scored 14 points in the third quarter.
But Montezuma finished strong, with an 18-4 fourth quarter.
“Each day in practice we are challenging the girls to grow on the defensive end with our communication and presence,” Burgess said.
Mia Boulton led four Montezuma double figures scorers with 16 points. That included four treys.
Shanae Wetering found some seams in Belle Plaine’s zone and scored 12 points, all on twos.
Madison Johannes had 14 points including five baskets from beyond the arc.
Jadyn Shearer splashed down a trio of treys and scored 11 points and Ellen Cook scored six on a pair of treys.
“On the offensive end, we are continuing to embrace the growth we are seeing while handling pressure and being strong. Our leadership is growing,” the coach said. “The voices are coming and the ability to rise to hit the tough shots is coming, too.”
The Bravettes didn’t shoot a free throw in the game – and didn’t need to.
The Bravettes took their record to 10-2 overall and to 8-1 against the SICL.
“We are definitely a work in progress,” Burgess said. “But the growth has been awesome to see.”
Belle Plaine left town with 9-4 and 6-4 marks.
UP NEXT – Montezuma is at Iowa Valley on Thursday.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Belle Plaine 6 3 14 4 – 27
Montezuma 17 16 14 16 – 63
MONTEZUMA (63) – Madison Johannes 5-13, 0-0, 1, 14. Shanae Wetering 6-12, 0-0, 3, 12. Mia Boulton 5-11, 2-2, 1, 16. Jadyn Sharer 4-7, 0-0, 0, 11. Korrinn Kehoe 0-2, 0-0, 0, 0. Ellen Cook 2-7, 0-0, 2, 6. Izzy Roorda 0-2, 0-0, 0, 0. Kallie Robison 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0. Shiressa Wetering 2-3, 0-0, 1, 4. TOTALS – 24-57, 2-2, 9, 63.
Line score legend: Field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Turnovers: 9.
Three-point goals: 13-32 (Johannes 4-9, Boulton 4-9, Sharer 3-5, Cook 2-6, Shan. Wetering 0-3).
Rebounds: 31 (Shan. Wetering 11, Roorda 5, Kehoe 4, Shrarer 3, Boulton 2, Johannes 2, Shir. Wetering 2, Cook 1, Robison 1).
Assists: 14 (Boulton 5, Johannes 4, Kehoe 2, Shan. Wetering 1, Cook 1, Roorda 1).
Steals: 6 (Johannes 2, Shan. Wetering 1, Boulton 1, Cook 1, Roorda 1).
Blocks: none.