By Coach Doug Helm
The Montezuma Bravettes A-team traveled to New Sharon to face the North Mahaska Warhawks on January 10.
The teams had played earlier in the year. At that time, the 8th teams faced off and then the 7th teams played. Monte won the 8th game 50-17 and the 7th 36-16. But this time, both teams combined
their best JH players to play in the A-game. This made for a much more exciting matchup. This was the Bravettes first game since December 14.
Montezuma won this time, 38-23.
The start of the game was a little rusty. Sydnee Burgess got the lid off until Claire Erselius and Vivian Cook hit long jumpers vs the Warhawk’s 2-3 zone.
Monte took a 9-3 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the
second quarter, Monte struggled vs the zone getting only 2 points on a Cook jumper. The Bravette defense was stellar holding them to 7 halftime points. Monte led 11-7 at the break.
With 3:34 left in the 3rd quarter, the Bravettes were clinging to a 14-11 lead. Chloe Snook skied for a rebound and was fouled on the shot. She calmly made two free throws. The Warhawks answered to make the score 16-13.
The Bravettes quickly turned it over and felt frustrated up just 3 points with 3minutes left in the 3rd quarter. But, the tide would change quickly.
Chlo found Syd for a layup after breaking the press. The Bravettes started getting something from their press as Haileah Eichenberger stole the ball and found Erselius for a layup. Bravettes led 20-13 as NM called timeout.
Sydnee stole the ball and the Bravettes missed several shots until
Syd got another power point and she was fouled. She made the free throw as the pressure mounted on the Warhawks. Burgess stole the inbounds pass.
The Bravettes worked it to Claire who drove to the hoop made the basket and was fouled. She swished the free throw. The Bravettes were now doubling up on the Warhawks 26-13 at the 1:43 mark in the 3rd quarter. North Mahaska made a free throw. But, the Bravettes answered as Lily Ferry had a strong rebound then kicked it out to Eichenberger who confidently sank a 3 pointer. This gave Monte a 29-14 lead which is how it stayed until the end of the
3rd.
The 4th quarter was 9-9 stalemate as the Bravettes won 38-23.
The Bravettes struggled shooting going 15-57 (26%) from the field, 3-21 (14%) on 3-pointers and 5-10 (50%) from the line.
The Warhawks shot 10-27 (37%), 0-2 from deep and 3-6 from the free throw line. The Bravettes outrebounded NM 33-29. Turnovers were significantly in the Bravettes favor, 28-10.
Sydnee Burgess had her best game. She scored 11 points on 5-8 shooting. She also had 8 rebounds, 4 steals and 1 block.
Vivian Cook had a solid game with 10 points including two 3-point baskets. She also had 6 steals. Claire Erselius scored 8 points with 6 rebounds, 4 steals and a block.
Chloe Snook had 4 points. Haileah Eichenberger had a 3 pointer. Lindsey Henry had 2 points and a block. Lily Ferry had 6 rebounds.
B-Team wins 36-7
The B-team also played. Monte led 15-0 at halftime and won 36-7.
Rylee Wolford scored 13 points including a 3-pointer. Letisia Wilson had 7 points.
Leah Urfer & Kieran Perez each had 4 points. Hayden Nienkerk, Kami Mathes, Tegan Barnhart, and Lauren Daniels each had 2 points. The girls did a great job.
The Bravettes A-team moves to 6-1 on the season. Below are the upcoming games. All games start at 415. Come out and support these exciting teams!!!
Monday, Jan 17: Game at home with L-Sully
Tuesday, Jan 18: Game at home with Belle Plaine.
Thursday, Jan 20: Game at home with Iowa Valley.
Monday, Jan 24: Game at Iowa Valley.