ALBIA – Albia’s surge in the two middle quarters was decisive in a 72-65 win over Montezuma on Tuesday evening, Feb. 11, in a battle between strong Class 2A and 1A teams.
The Braves splashed down some treys to lead 22-14 after one quarter. But the Blue Demons outscored Montezuma 46-30 during the middle two quarters to lead 60-52 after three.
After that, Albia held its lead.
Montezuma, the Class 1A team, came in at 18-2. Albia, in 2A, entered 16-3, and a 13-point favorite according to BCMoore Rankings.
The Demons showed why they earned that respect with sharp shooting, crisp ballhandling, and disciplined defense.
Wherever Montezuma scoring ace Brady Boulton went, he had a defender face-guarding him, and another chasing him after he passed the ball.
Boulton scored points – 30 of them – but worked overtime to earn them, as did the rest of the Braves against a rangy, fast-closing defense.
Boulton scored his 30 on 10-for-23 shooting from the field that included 5-for-12 from three-point range. He was 5-for-5 from the line. To those totals Boulton added 5 assists, 5 steals 5 rebounds, a deflection and a blocked shot. Max Anderson scored 15 points (6-for-10 from the floor), and Kolen Holland had another double-double, with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Montezuma had 14 turnovers, compared to just 8 by Albia.
Overall, these teams were pretty well-matched, although Albia came in a 13-point favorite according to BCMoore Rankings.
UP NEXT for the Braves will be post-season play.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 22 17 13 13 – 65
Albia 14 25 21 12 – 72
MONTEZUMA (65) – Dane Strong 3-8, 0-0, 4, 7; Easton Hudnt 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0; David Rose 0-1, 0-0, 2, 0; Luke Brennan 0-2, 0-0, 3, 0; Brady Boulton 10-23, 5-5, 2, 30; Broox Stockman 0-2, 0-0, 3, 0; Kohen Holland 5-10, 3-4, 3, 13; Max Anderson 6-10, 1-2, 1, 15. TOTALS: 24-56, 9-11, 18, 65.
ALBIA (72) TOTALS – 28-65, 11-17, 13, 72.
LINE SCORE LEGEND: field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Three-pointers: Montezuma 8-19 (Boulton 5-12, Anderson 2-4, Strong 1-2, Rose 0-1). Albia – 5-25)
Turnovers: Montezuma 14, Albia 8.
Rebounds: Montezuma 31 (Holland 10, Strong 5, Rose 3, Boulton 5, team 3, Brennan 2, Stockman 1, Anderson 1, Hudnut 1). Albia: 33.
Assists: Montezuma 10 (Boulton 5, Anderson 4, Holland 1).
Steals: Montezuma 8 (Boulton 5, Strong 1, Rose 1, Holland 1)
Deflections: Montezuma 3 (Brennan 1, Boulton 1, Anderson 1).
Blocks: Montezuma 2 (Brennan 1, Boulton 1). Albia: 5.