SULLY – Montezuma’s girls basketball season began at a jamboree on Monday, Nov. 16 – possibly in front of the most fans the girls will see in person for a while.
While the Bravettes scrimmaged with Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in the Lynnville-Sully jamboree, Gov. Kim Reynolds was tightening the screws on COVID-19 restrictions.
Among the limitations: All spectators at school sports event must wear masks, and only two persons per participant will be allowed in as spectators.
The scrimmage turned out well for the Bravettes. Jamborees are made as “game-like” as possible. The girls wear their game uniforms and there are officials. Score is kept, but only two quarters are played and the results don’t count as a win or a loss.
Montezuma was ahead 34-21 at the end of two quarters.
“We are so fortunate to have had the opportunity to play as a team at Lynnville-Sully,” said Bravettes Coach Janel Burgess. “Our team showed a very promising start to the season.”
It was close at first, but Montezuma’s defense tightened, and the Bravettes’ ball movement improved.
Montezuma led 13-11 late in the first quarter, but outscored their opponent 21-10 the rest of the way.
“We maintained a fast tempo game based on defensive stops,” Burgess said.
The Bravettes played half-court defense, and denied, denied, denied. EBF shot 50 percent from the field, but was able to cast just 14 shots. They had 18 turnovers, 13 of them on Bravettes steals.
Meanwhile, the Bravettes fired up 36 shots and made 14 of them, enough to pull away in a 16-minute game.
“Our seniors were all leaders in their own way and played their roles perfectly,” Burgess said. “We definitely learned a lot about our abilities and we will use this is a growing opportunity.”
Mia Boulton scored 11 points, including a pair of three-pointers, to lead the Bravettes.
Shanae Wetering had nine and Elise Boulton scored five points each. Elise also dished six assists.
“As we continue to embark on a very unique year, I am so proud of our Bravettes and their positive energy that is focusing on being gritty and grateful each and every day,” Burgess said.
UP NEXT – The Bravettes open their season Tues., Nov. 24 at home against Pella Christian.
YOUTH SPORTS SHUT DOWN – Montezuma Schools posted on Monday night that junior high and youth sports will be shut down until at least Dec. 10 as a result of the governor’s action earlier in the evening. This includes junior high and youth wrestling, and the annual youth wrestling tournament has been canceled.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 17 17 – 34
EB-Fremont 11 10 – 21
MONTEZUMA (34) – Alivia Cline 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Madison Johannes 0-0, 0-0, 2, 0. Shanae Wetering 4-5, 1-2, 3, 9. Kierstyn Price 1-3, 0-0, 1, 2. Mia Boulton 4-10, 1-1, 0, 11. Jadyn Sharer 1-3, 0-0, 1, 2. Alyssa Cline 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Elise Boulton 2-11, 1-2, 1, 5. Makenna Johannes 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Abby Cheney 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Dylan Holland 2-2, 0-0, 1, 5. Kallie Robison 0-0, 0-0, 0, 0. Korrinn Kehoe 0-2, 0-0, 1, 0. TOTALS – 14-36, 3-6, 10, 34.
EB-FREMONT (21) TOTALS – 7-14, 6-7, 6, 21.
Line score legend – field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Rebounds – Montezuma 17 (Holland 4, Wetering 3, M. Boulton 3). EBF – 13.
Assists – Montezuma 6 (E. Boulton 6).
Turnovers – Montezuma 8, EBF 18.
Three-point goals – Montezuma 3 (M. Boulton 2, Holland 1). EBF – 1.
Steals – Montezuma 13 (E. Boulton 3, Wetering 2, Price 2, Sharer 2).
Blocks – Holland 1.
Deflections – Montezuma 5 (Holland 2).