STATE CENTER – Some call it “in-laws defense” – because of its constant pressure and harassment.
The West Marshall Trojans might have other words for it, after the Montezuma Bravettes held them to two points in the second half Monday evening, Jan. 4, in a 34-23 Montezuma basketball victory.
It was, in fact, a come-from-behind win for the Class 1A Bravettes, who trailed 21-18 at halftime against a Class 3A opponent.
After intermission the shortest player on the court, 5-3 Montezuma guard Madison Johannes, guarded the tallest, 6-0 West Marshall scoring, assists and rebounding leader Katy Reyerson.
With Reyerson out on the wings trying to escape a relentless defender, the West Marshall offense got out of sync, disrupted, and locked down.
The Bravettes went on a 15-0 run during the quarter to take control at 33-21 through three periods.
Montezuma kept ball in the hands of its guards throughout the fourth quarter. The Bravettes scored just one more point, but West Marshall got just two – on a layup off a Montezuma turnover early in the fourth period.
The victory lifted the Bravettes to 10-1 on the season. West Marshall went to 6-3.
Montezuma made just two three-pointers in the first half and went especially cold during a four-point second quarter. West Marshall was conscious of where the Bravettes’ three-shooters were, and got out to defend them.
But Montezuma opened the third quarter with a 10-0 run to grab the lead, and dropped in a trio of treys in extending its lead to 12 points.
Montezuma’s scoring was balanced. Shanae Wetering had a strong first half and finished with nine points.
Dylan Holland was especially effective in the second half, and finished with seven.
Elise Boulton scored nine, Mia Boulton had six and Johannes scored three.
JVs LOSE A CLOSE ONE – Full court pressure led West Marshall to a 14-4 fourth quarter and a 32-30 win over the Bravettes in junior varsity play.
Montezuma jumped out to a 16-4 lead in this game, but was outscored 28-14 the rest of the way. The Bravettes played an effective 2-3 zone in half court and received a big rebounding effort from Ashlee Eilander.
UP NEXT – Montezuma’s girls and boys are at English Valleys on Tuesday, Jan. 5. It’s a quad, with both JV teams also playing.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 14 4 16 0 – 34
West Marshall 12 9 0 2 – 23
MONTEZUMA (34)
Madison Johannes 1-6, 0-0, 2, 3. Shanae Wetering 4-7, 0-0, 3, 9. Mia Boulton 2-8, 0-0, 2, 6. Elise Boulton 4-11, 0-0, 1, 9. Dylan Holland 3-6, 1-1, 0, 7. Kierstyn Price 0-1, 0-0, 2, 0. Jadyn Sharer 0-0, 0-2, 2, 0. Korrinn Kehoe 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. TOTALS – 14-39, 1-3, 12, 34.
Line score legend: Field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Turnovers: Montezuma 11, West Marshall 21.
Three-point goals: 5-22 (M. Boulton 2-8, Wetering 1-3, Johannes 1-5, E. Boulton 1-6).
Rebounds: 22 (Holland 9, Johannes 5, Wetering 4, E. Boulton 3, Sharer 1).
Assists: 7 (E. Boulton 4, Wetering 2, M. Boulton 1).
Steals: 14 (E. Boulton 4, Wetering 3, Holland 3, Johannes 2, M. Boulton 1, Sharer 1).
Blocks: 2 (E. Boulton 1, Holland 1).