VICTOR – The Montezuma Bravettes rained down seven three-point baskets – all in the first half – and raced to a 55-25 win over HLV on Tuesday evening, Dec. 17.
The short but very quick Warriors were determined to not let the Bravettes go inside to Shiressa Wetering, the tallest player on the floor.
So, they camped out defensively around the Montezuma post. But that left seams and gaps out front, and the Bravettes’ three-guard offense was quick to take advantage.
Montezuma led 18-6 after one quarter and 37-16 at halftime.
Those seven three-balls add up to 21 points – which so happened to be Montezuma’s halftime margin.
Montezuma did take it inside to Wetering during a 10-2 third quarter in the Bravettes’ favor.
Claire Erselius stroked three of Montezuma’s treys in the first half, as did Ellen Cook. Vivian Cook knocked down the other one.
The Bravettes were long-armed on defense all night, and gave up just nine points in the second half.
Four Bravettes scored in double figures: Wetering with 16 points, Vivian Wook with 12, and Ellen Cook 11, and Claire Erselius 11.
Syd Burgess continued her strong work on the boards, with a team-high 6 caroms. But Montezuma’s effort in this area was balanced.
Montezuma assisted 15 of its 21 field goals, with Ellen Cook leading with 7.
Montezuma shot .412 from the field, to .250 by HLV.
Vivian Cook had 7 of the Bravettes’ 17 steals.
And Wetering continued in her role as the menace in the middle, by blocking 5 shots.
Montezuma took its record out to 4-3 on the season.
Hard-working HLV evened out at 3-3.
UP NEXT – The Bravettes close out the pre-holidays portion of their schedule by playing a good Sigourney team on the road on Friday evening, Dec. 20.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 18 19 10 8 – 55
HLV 6 10 2 7 – 25
MONTEZUMA (55) – Ellen Cook 3-15, 2-2, 0, 11; Vivian Cook 4-14, 3-4, 3, 12; Syd Burgess 1-4, 0-0, 2, 2; Claire Erselius 4-6, 1-1, 0, 11; Shiressa Wetering 8-11, 0-2, 3, 16; Lindsey Henry 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0; Lauryn Larmore 1-1, 0-0, 1, 3. TOTALS – 21-51, 6-9, 9, 55.
HLV (25) – 11-44, 0-3, 10, 25.
LINE SCORE LEGEND: field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted. Personal fouls, total points.
Three-pointers – Mont – 7-25 (E. Cook 3-10, Erselius 2-4, Burgess 0-1, Wetering 0-1, Larmore 1-1, V. Cook 1-8); HLV 3-19.
Turnovers: Mont – 20, HLV 25.
Rebounds – Mont 26 (Burgess 6, Erselius 5, Wetering 5, E. Cook 4, V. Cook 4, Larmore 2), HLV 26.
Assists – Mont 15 (E. Cook 7, V. Vook 3, Erselius 2, Larmore 2, Burgess 1); HLV – 6.
Steals – Mont 17 (V. Cook 7, E. Cook 4, Erselius 3, Burgesss 2, Wetering 1); HLV 5.
Blocks – Mont 6 (Wetering 5, Burgess 1); HLV – none.