2020. It’s a digital four-letter word.
We had a derecho. We live amidst COVID. We’ve been assaulted by hateful politics.
We’ve got social distancing, and virtual learning. Don’t forget to wear your mask!
Did I mention COVID?
But now, it’s winter, a promised virus vaccine is on the horizon and we’ve got a strike force squadron of Montezuma Braves returning from last year’s 25-3 third-place-at state team.
We’ve got destroyers in Trey Shearer and Cole Watts, a cruiser in Masin Shearer – all three were starters – and guys like Owen Cook, Joey Kercheval and Gavin Strong just waiting to step into roles.
No, I didn’t forget the fourth starter, the AC – the “aircraft carrier, baby,” as Dick Vitale would say – Eddie Burgess . . .
Well, the Braves don’t have him, for now, at least.
Be gone, 2020!
So . . . the Braves will dance with who they brought. AC or not, they still figure to be a battlestar.
You will remember that Burgess the quarterback and linebacker, hurt a knee making a tackle midway through the fourth quarter of the state semifinal game against Remsen St. Mary’s.
He has opted to rehab it, hoping to return before the Braves move into a much-anticipated post-season.
So for now, tales will be acted out by Trey Shearer, Cole Watts, Masin Shearer and the rest of Montezuma’s ready-for-prime-time players.
Without the 6-4, 220-pound Burgess, an undersized squad will be even smaller. But they’re quick, fast and athletic and plan to drive South Iowa Cedar League teams to distraction with those features.
Trey Shearer is a fourth-year starter and just before the season signed his letter of intent to play college ball at Truman State in Missouri.
Shearer, 6-0, averaged 25.2 points per game last season and shot .616 from the field, including .437 from behind the arc. He splashed down 55 three-balls. He also grabbed 3.8 rebounds.
Watts, also 6-0, knocked down 77 threes and shot .412 from back there. He averaged 17.7 points and was second to Burgess in rebounds with six per game.
What can the Braves look for from Trey Shearer?
“We expect improvement. That’s a credit to him and his work ethic,” said Montezuma Coach Derrick Dengler. “He is the kind of guy you like to show to younger players and say, ‘this is Trey, and this is what he has done,’” the coach said.
Dengler made his remarks to Chris Varney of KGRN on a pre-season coaches show.
“Cole Watts is a tremendous offensive player,” Dengler said. “He can attack the rim. He has gotten so much stronger. And, he can rebound.”
Masin Shearer, 5-10, averaged 5.6 points as a freshman starting varsity. He hit 51 threes and shot .402 from behind the arc.
“Masin is the same model as Trey,” Dengler said. “He does things that go unnoticed. He makes it easier for others to score. And his defense is underrated.”
Burgess averaged 11.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. He shot .653 from the field. “Eddie is the most unselfish player we’ve had in a long time,” Dengler said. “He is willing to take on the toughest defensive roles.”
It shouldn’t surprise too many to hear that Burgess is a tremendous passer. He can see the movement of all teammates and opponents from the high post, and get the ball to open or about to be open Braves.
“Eddie is a bigger piece offensively than some are willing to give him credit for,” Dengler said.
“We have a lot of guys who have put in a ton of time in the off-season,” Dengler said. “We’re happy to get in any games that we can, given the times we are in,” the coach said.
“On the defensive side, we’ve got to be physically and mentally tough,” Burgess said. “We have to play together and trust each other.”
“We have others who can score the ball,” Dengler said. “I’m confident we have kids who are going to do the right thing.”
UP FIRST – The Braves open their regular season on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at North Mahaska. Montezuma did not host its pre-season jamboree because several schools canceled out, with COVID concerns.
Braves Varsity Roster
Seniors
Cam Johnson, 6-0
Cole Watts, 6-0
Trey Shearer, 6-0
Jacob Ross, 6-0
Joey Kercheval, 5-10
Juniors
Sawyer Tindle, 6-0
Camden Michalek 6-0
Eddie Burgess, 6-4
Ryan Cheney, 6-4
Sophomores
Masin Shearer, 5-10
Maguire DeJong, 5-10
Colton Benson, 6-1
Owen Cook, 6-1
Gavin Strong, 6-1
Freshmen
Garrett Watts, 5-10