By Doug Helm
JH girls basketball coach
The Montezuma Bravettes B-team hosted the North Mahaska Warhawks on Monday, December 1.
Montezuma pressed and played aggressive man to man defense. North Mahaska would struggle at times against the press but the Warhawks’ size gave the smaller Bravettes trouble.
North Mahaska raced to an 8-1 lead at the end of the first as Monte could not put it in the hoop. The Bravettes cut into the lead in the second quarter but NM led 10-7 at halftime.
The Warhawks extended their lead to 16-11 at the end of the third quarter. After a tense third quarter, the Bravettes entered the fourth determined to close the gap.
Elise Mathes drove to the hoop and had her shot blocked but she got the rebound and d it to Karley Eichenberger. Eich would quickly score the hoop. Then Montezuma would ramp up their defensive pressure.
Aubrey Bardwell stole the ball and found Teagan Sutherland who converted it into a layup for two more points. NM would miss their next attempt. Teagan grabbed the defensive rebound near the baseline and sprinted coast-to-coast, blowing by defenders for a layup.
On the next possession, Teagan would immediately get a steal and score two more points. The Bravettes scored eight points in the first minute of the fourth quarter to take the lead 19-18.
Eich would get a steal midway through the fourth quarter and find Sutherland for the Bravettes last hoop and a 21-18 lead. NM would score with 2 minutes remaining to make it 21-20. The Warhawks had many chances to take the lead, but the Bravettes defense held. With 1.6 seconds left and North Mahaska far from the hoop, Montezuma committed a foul. Fortunately for the Bravettes both free throws were missed, Eichenberger would corral the rebound and Monte won a wild one 21-20.
Montezuma went 10-52 on two-point shots, 0-4 from beyond the arc, and 1-7 from the line. NM countered with 10-39 on two-pointers, 0-1 on three-pointers, and 0-3 on free throws. The Warhawks beat the Bravettes on the boards 45-35. The Bravettes committed 24 turnovers, and the Warhawks had 31 turnovers.
Teagan Sutherland stuffed the stat sheet. Teagan had 16 points, 7 rebounds, 7 steals, and a block. Karley Eichenberger anchored the paint for the Bravettes. Eich had 2 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
Elise Mathes hit a free throw jumper for 2 points. Aubrey Bardwell made a free throw. Bardi also had 5 rebounds and 5 steals. Amber Hindeman had 5 steals.
The Bravettes JH B-team moves to 3-0 on the season. They host Colfax on Monday, December 8.