SULLY – Because the Montezuma girls had already played four games this season before the boys played their first, you haven’t heard much about the Braves.
But you are now, and you will!
Unveiling a quick basketball team with experience blended in, the Braves came from behind in the fourth quarter to beat Lynnville-Sully, 62-58 on Tuesday evening, Dec. 3, in the season opener for both teams.
The Braves, down 44-39 after three quarters, outscored the host team 23-14 to take the win.
The Hawks featured some size, good ball movement on offense, and tough defense, especially inside.
The Braves started out like five jackrabbits jumping out of a box, surging to a 14-5 first quarter lead. Montezuma hit some three-balls and contested most everything Lynnville-Sully did.
But things went the other way after the Hawks stepped up their own defense, leading to the Braves missing a number of contested chip shots near the basket.
The Hawks went on an 11-0 run to start the third quarter. They limited touches by Braves guard Brady Boulton and screened hard on offense and hit open shots. They went from five down at halftime to get the lead and push it out to 39-31 late in the third quarter.
Montezuma had renewed energy down the stretch, with Boulton and Max Anderson leading the charge.
Boulton opened the fourth quarter with a traditional three-point play, then made a three-pointer to cut Lynnville-Sully’s lead to 48-46 with 4:37 left to play. Anderson’s trey tied the game at 49-49 and Kohen Holland’s basket tied it again at 51-51.
Boulton scored to give the Braves a 53-51 lead with 1:38 to play, then stole the ball on the Hawks’ end. That led to Anderson’s drive for a basket and a 55-51 lead with 1:05 left.
The Braves protected their lead with free throws and defense after that.
Boulton led all scorers with 26 points. He was a modest 7-18 from the field, but went 9-for-9 from the line as Montezuma protected and extended its late lead.
Max Anderson scored 13, including six-for-nine from the line. The Braves as a team were 15-for-18 shooting free throws. Lynnville-Sully was 5-for-10.
The Braves were guilty of just four turnovers, compared with 15 by the Hawks.
Lynnville-Sully grabbed 43 rebounds, but the 26 Montezuma rebounds were just enough.
Sawyer Veldhuizen and Will Van Vark each scored 15 points for Lynnville-Sully.
Dawson James (#40), grabbed 16 rebounds and Carson Maton squeezed 9.
UP NEXT – The Braves are at North Mahaska for a boys JV/varsity doubleheader on Friday, Dec. 6.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 14 14 11 23 – 62
Lynnville-Sully 5 18 21 14 – 58
MONTEZUMA (62) – Dane Strong 3-6, 0-0, 2, 8; David Rose 0-5, 0-0, 1, 0; Brady Boulton 7-18, 9-9, 0, 26; Kohen Holland 2-7, 0-0, 3, 4; Max Anderson 3-7, 6-9, 0, 13; Easton Hudnut 2-3, 0-0, 0, 6; Luke Brennan 1-4, 0-0, 3, 3; Broox Stockman 1-1k 0-0, 2, 2. TOTALS – 19-51, 15-18, 11, 62.
LYNNVILLE-SULLY (58) – TOTALS – 22-55, 5-10, 16, 58.
LINE SCORE LEGEND – field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Turnovers – Montezuma 4, Lynnville-Sully 15.
Rebounds – Montezuma 26 (Holland 11, Rose 5, Anderson 3, Boulton 2, Brennan 2, Strong 1, Hudnut 1, Stockman 1); LS 43.
Assists – Montezuma 10 (Boulton 4, Anderson 2, Brennan 2, Rose 1, Stockman 1); LS 12.
Steals: Montezuma 11 (Boulton 6, Stockman 2, Holland 1, Anderson 1, Brennan 1); LS 5.
Blocks – Montezuma 1 (Brennan 1); L-S 3.
L-SULLY LEADERS
Points – Sawyer Veldhuizen 15, Will VanVark 15.
Rebounds – Dawson James 16, Carson Maston 9.
Lynnville-Sully 5 18 21 14 – 58