NORTH ENGLISH – Montezuma shook off a quick start by English Valleys and beat the Bears 64-16 in junior high ‘A’ basketball on Thursday, Jan. 20.
“EV came out ready to play and hit a couple three-point shots,” said Montezuma Coach Dennis Phelps. “They took leads at 5-4 and 7-6.”
“Our defensive effort increased, along with some turnovers from the press and set the tone. We had turnovers that turned into a number of fast break opportunities.”
Montezuma led 37-14 at halftime. “We presented the players a challenge about not allowing more than a certain number of points in the second half,” Phelps said. It worked: Montezuma yielded just two after intermission.
Brady Boulton poured in 30 points and Broox Stockman scored 26 for the Braves.
Luke Erselius had 8 – and that closed out Montezuma scoring.
“I would have liked to have more players scoring,” Phelps said. “We had opportunities, but left some easy shots on the floor.”
“We were a little short-handed with three players ill – and an old coach who had no voice. Joe Strong did a great job of coaching the game as I tried to squeak some noise,” Phelps said.
UP NEXT – Two games, on Monday and Tuesday, against Keota and Sigourney. Both are at home.