PELLA – Montezuma guard Ellen Cook scored 16 points and the Bravettes charged out to a 34-17 lead over Pella Christian by halftime.
The Bravettes had some hiccups against a pressing Eagles defense in the second half, but behind Cook’s 28 points and 14 by post player Shiressa Wetering, Montezuma scored a 58-48 win on Tuesday evening, Nov. 21.
The victory gave the Bravettes a 2-0 start to their season.
Pella Christian tried to make extra passes during the first half, allowing Montezuma’s defense to close in and tangle things up.
On the other end, Ellen Cook was sniping away, and Wetering was wheeling and dealing down low.
After halftime, the Eagles defense caused some turnovers, but Pella Christian’s closest approach to the Bravettes was nine points, at 53-44, with 42 seconds left in the game.
On the plus side for the Bravettes was a defense that played well without fouling.
Unofficially, the Bravettes led 28-26 in rebounding, shot 47 percent from the field to PC’s 40 percent, and made two fewer turnovers than the Eagles.
Late in the third quarter, Izzy Roorda sank a key three-pointer, and Ellen Cook followed with and offensive rebound basket, pushing Montezuma’s lead out to 16 points after Pella Christian had made a run to narrow the gap.
Claire Erselius was in with 8 points for the Bravettes.
Faith Kacmarynski scored 14 points to lead Pella Christian, which fell to 1-1.
UP NEXT – The Bravettes and Braves begin conference play, hosting Lynnville-Sully on Tuesday, Nov. 28.
Score by quarters
Montezuma 15 19 11 13 – 59
Pella Christian 11 6 12 19 – 48
Line score legend: field goals made/attempted, free throws made/attempted, personal fouls, total points
MONTEZUMA (58)
Ellen Book 10-19, 4-6, 0, 28. Vivian Cook 0-2, 0-0, 1, 0. Sydnee Burgess 1-3, 1-2, 2, 3. Claire Erselius 2-5, 3-3, 0, 8. Izzy Roorda 1-1, 0-0, 1, 3. Jadyn Sharer 1-2, 0-0, 1, 3. Jordan Ranfeld 0-2, 0-0, 1, 0. Laila Kercheval 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0. Shiressa Wetering 5-10, 4-4, 0, 14. TOTALS – 20-44, 12-15, 6, 58.
PC: 20-46, 2-5, 18, 48.
Three-pointers: Mont. 6-15 (E. Cook 4-8, Erselius 1-3, Roorda 1-1, V. Cook 0-1, Burgess 0-1, Sharer 0-1). PC – 2-19.
Rebounds: Monte 28 (E. Cook 8, Wetering 6, V. Cook 3, Ranfeld 3, Burgess 2, Sharer 4, Roorda 1, Erselius 1); PC 22.
Assists: Monte 7 (E. Cook 2, Erselius 2, Sharer 2, Roorda 1); PC: 13.
Steals: Monte 9 (V. Cook 3, Roorda 2, Sharer 2, E. Cook 1, Erselius 1, Ranfeld 1). PC: 13.
Blocks: Montezuma 2 (Burgess 2); PC: 0.
Turnovers: Montezuma 16, PC 19.
