DES MOINES – The Iowa Farm Bureau sponsors state tournament broadcasts because, as they say, it’s “a chance for small-town kids to make it big!”
Friday night, after the Class 4A state championship game, it was announced on TV and livestream that the Braves’ Trey Shearer was named the winner Jim Eekhoff Most Valuable Player Award.
That award, sponsored by Iowa Beef, goes to the player judged MVP of the entire tournament, all four classes.
I became familiar with Jim Eekhoff’s talents while editing a newspaper in Orange City, which isn’t too far from Hull Western Christian, where Mr. Eekhoff coached for more than 30 years.
He had a 681-143 record, (.830), highest percentage in state history for coaches with more than 600 wins. His teams won eight state championships.
The award comes with a $250 scholarship for the school and a handsome plaque for Trey.
Shearer earned a $500 scholarship for the school by being named captain of the Class 1A all-tournament team.
A title for Derek Schulte
When Braves Coach Derrick Dengler came to Montezuma, he served as an assistant coach for Derek Schulte, now the coach at Pella High School.
Schulte’s Dutch won the Class 3A state title on Friday with a 68-59 win over Ballard.
Johnson can shoot free throws
Senior Cam Johnson wasn’t a big scorer for the Braves. His role, said Coach Derrick Dengler, was often to “guard the toughest guy on the other team,” Dengler told KGRN’s Chris Varney.
The ball found its way into Johnson’s hands not once, but twice, during the closing minutes. He was fouled on one of those touches, and he drilled two free throws on the one-and-bonus.
“Oh, I have a story about that,” Dengler told Varney. “Cam is a good free throw shooter. We have a little free throw shooting contest we do in practice, and Cam is usually right up there with Trey Shearer.” Johnson, the coach said, also had knack for “making big plays.”
Dengler had trouble staying composed when he was asked about his seniors.
About the other seniors . .
“Joey Kercheval was with us all four years. He often guarded Trey and Cole (Watts) in practice,” the coach said.
That, friends, would be tough duty.
“Jacob Ross is tall and hadn’t been out since junior high. But he came out because he thought he could help us out in practice. And he did,” Dengler said.
Dengler fought emotion when trying to talk about Trey Shearer and Cole Watts.
“They work so hard,” the coach said. “They’re great kids off the court, too.”
Dengler also was asked about Burgess, who is a junior. “He is one tough competitor,” Dengler said. “He cares only about winning. He just loves to do all the little things that help the team win.”
Braves players led in . .
Trey Shearer and Cole Watts were first and second, respectively, in Class 1A scoring. Trey dropped in 56 points in the three games (18.7 per), and Watts had 41 (13.7).
Eddie Burgess was the top rebounder with 36 – 12 a game.
The all-tournament team included Shearer, Watts, Burgess and Dylan Kurk and Austin Hilmer from North Linn.
There was quite a bit of talent on display in the Class 1A tournament. That just two teams – the pair in the championship game – made the all-tournament team, testifies to how good those teams were.
YOU CAN LISTEN – To Chris Varney’s interviews with Dengler and the Braves by going to MyIowaInfo.com and scrolling down. Varney does a great job with these and KGRN provides a lot of important service to the Montezuma commuity!
Here are some of the things tournament officials keep track of during games. The most noteworthy, I think, was Montezuma having the lead against North Linn for 27:08 of the 32 minutes.
Points in the paint: Montezuma 22, North Linn 22.
Points off turnovers: Montezuma 13, North Linn 6.
Second chance points: Montezuma 9, North Linn 7.
Fast break points: Montezuma 6, North Linn 0.
Bench points: Montezuma 2, North Linn 0.
Last field goal: Montezuma 4th qtr, 7:07. North Linn 4th qtr. :14.
Largest lead: Montezuma by 13, 2:15 2nd qtr. North Linn 4, 6:20 1st qtr.
Montezuma led for 27:08 of playing time. North Linn led for 3:05. Game was tied for 1:47.
