The Bravettes ran into a physical, balanced Pella Christian team and suffered a 63-53 defeat at home on Tuesday, Nov. 24 in the basketball regular season opener for both teams.
The Bravettes had problems keeping Allison Van Gorp, Pella Christian’s 6-2 center, away from the basket and off the boards. Van Gorp went off for 23 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Eagles.
Van Gorp had a couple of capable accomplices. Emma Witzenburg (#11) scored 19 points and Joslyn Terpstra (#14) scored 14.
The Bravettes got 21 points from senior guard Elise Boulton and 13 from sophomore guard Mia Boulton.
Shanae Wetering and Dylan Holland each scored seven. “I think Pella Christian was a great test for us early on,” said Montezuma Coach Janel Burgess. “We showed many moments of greatness, but ultimately couldn’t get over the hump.”
Pella Chrstian led 14-10 after one quarter and 29-27 at halftime.
The Bravettes came out in a zone defense in the third quarter, and went to player-to-player at times. But the Eagles recognized the changes and adjusted. They shot their lead out to 12 points at one time.
A technical foul against the Montezuma bench seemed to inject some life into the Bravettes. It came with 1:23 left in the third quarter and Pella Christian leading 46-36.
Elise Boulton made a trey to cut Montezuma’s third quarter deficit to 48-41.
Mia Boulton knocked down a three-pointer to cut the margin to 48-44 with 6:50 left in the game and Montezuma had momentum.
The Bravettes were pressing full-court now, and getting some results. But Pella Christian beat it with a long down court pass and layup. That made it 56-47 with 2:25 left and Montezuma didn’t have another big push left.
“I was proud of our grittiness and determination to fight back in the second half,” Burgess said.
Pella Christian’s defense kept Montezuma’s guards and posts separated much of the night. The Eagles also bothered Bravette shots. “We have a very new team with players filling many different positions,” Burgess said. “We will only get better from this.”
Montezuma shot 19-for-51 (.373), mostly against a 2-3 zone.
Pella Chrstian fired at a .460 clip, on 23-for-50.
Montezuma won the turnover battle, 15-18.
Rebounding went to the Eagles by a 33-29 margin.
The Bravettes came up with 13 steals.
Elise Boulton dished seven assists, and Wetering blocked three Pella Christian shots. “I am very proud of your young ladies,” said Burgess. “We have had great practices over the break and I know we will be much-improved as we head into next week.”
“We are eager to hit the court three times this upcoming week and we know that our loss to Pella Christian will only make us better in the long run.”
AN EYE IN THE SKY – Montezuma Community Schools and Mahaska Communication Group teamed to provide a live stream to the game, and will produce more of them during the season.
The camera is located on south wall of the gym, high above the press tables. Al Rabenold got a photo of its location.
SOCIALLY DISTANT – Because of a state mandate, only two spectators per participant were allowed in the gym. That made many in the community happy to have a live stream telecast available.
UP NEXT – Montezuma is at North Mahaska on Tuesday, Dec. 1, in the first girls/boys doubleheader of the season.
Pella Christian 14 15 19 15 – 63
Montezuma 10 17 14 12 – 53
MONTEZUMA (53)
Madison Johannes 0-6, 2-2, 1, 2; Shanae Wetering 3-6, 1-2, 3, 7; Kierstyn Price 0-1, 0-0, 3, 0; Mia Boulton 4-11, 2-2, 0, 13; Jayden Sharer 1-5, 0-0, 1, 3; Elise Boulton 8-16, 0-2, 4, 21; Dylan Holland 3-6, 1-2, 2, 7. TOTALS – 19-51, 6-10, 15, 53.
PELLA CHRISTIAN (63)
TOTALS – 23-50, 13-19, 9, 63.
Line score legend: field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Technical foul – Montezuma bench.
Turnovers – Pella Christian 18, Montezuma 15.
Three-point goals – Pella Christian 4-13, Montezuma 9-28 (E. Boulton 5-12, M. Boulton 3-10, Sharer 1-3, M. Johannes 0-2, Wetering 0-1).
Rebounds – Pella Christian 33, Montezuma 29 (Wetering 8, E. Boulton 6, Holland 6, Price 4, Johannes 2, M. Boulton 2, team 1).
Montezuma steals – 12 (M. Boulton 4, E. Boulton 4, Johannes 2, Holland 2).
Montezuma assists – 11 (E. Boulton 7, M. Boulton 2, Johannes 1, Price 1).
Montezuma deflections – 7 (Wetering 2, Holland 2, Johannes 1, M. Boulton 1, E. Boulton 1).
Montezuma blocks – 4 (Wetering 3, Price 1).