Coming in to the game against Williamsburg, Montezuma boys basketball Coach Derrick Dengler was unsure how well his team’s defense would measure up against the rangy Raiders.
That defense measured up well enough for Montezuma to be right in the game.
Two good boys basketball teams met, and Williamsburg prevailed, 56-49, in the final pre-holidays game of the season Saturday evening, Dec. 18, in Montezuma.
Williamsburg zone pressed and the Braves struggled a bit. But, sharp passing in the latter stages of the first quarter led to some Montezuma baskets, cutting a Williamsburg lead to 11-6.
The Braves cut a point from their deficit by halftime, and held it there through three quarters, the Raiders up 36-32 heading into the fourth.
Made baskets or free throws helped Williamsburg set up its press. Williamsburg shot .429 from the field, to Montezuma’s .465. The Raiders were just 9-for-18 from the free throw line.
The Braves’ own wide, half-court zone also made Williamsburg work for its scores.
But after the Braves’ 6-4, 230-pound Eddie Burgess fouled out with about three minutes to go, the Raiders found a little more room in their passing lanes, and took advantage.
Guard Masin Shearer scored 17 points to lead Braves scorers, with Burgess coming in with 16.
Burgess also had 10 rebounds. Williamsburg beat the Braves on the boards, 28-19.
Montezuma did have 20 turnovers and that’s another key stat, although Williamsburg almost matched it with 17.
Shearer backed his scoring with four assists and four steals.
Burgess also had four steals, and blocked three shots.
Williamsburg moved on with a solid 5-1 record.
The Braves will take a 6-2 mark into post-holidays play.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Williamsburg 11 11 14 20 – 56
Montezuma 6 12 14 17 – 49
MONTEZUMA (49) – Gavin Strong 1-5, 1-2, 1, 3. Masin Shearer 7-14, 1-4, 1, 17. Maguire De Jong 0-2, 2-2, 2, 2. Owen Cook 3-5, 0-0, 2, 7. Eddie Burgess 7-12, 2-3, 5, 16. Max Anderson 0-1, 0-0, 1, 0. Colton Benson 2-4, 0-0, 2, 4. TOTALS – 20-43, 6-11, 14, 49.
WILLIAMSBURG (56) – TOTALS – 21-49, 9-18, 18, 56.
Line score legend: Field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Turnovers: Montezuma 20, Williamsburg 17.
Three-point goals: Montezuma 3-11 (Shearer 2-5, Cook 1-1, Strong 0-2, De Jong 0-1, Burgess 0-1, Anderson 0-1); Williamsburg 5-17.
Rebounds: Montezuma 19 (Burgess 10, Shearer 3, Cook 2, Benson 2, Strong 1, De Jong 1); Williamsburg 28.
Assists: Montezuma 11 (Shearer 4, Burgess 3, Cook 2, Strong 1, Anderson 1).
Steals: Montezuma 11 (Shearer 4, Burgess 4, Cook 2, Strong 1).
Blocks: Montezuma 4 (Burgess 3, Strong 1); Williamsurg 1.