HLV made a tremendous effort.
Montezuma countered with terrific execution on offense, and an 83-73 win, Thursday night in district tournament play at home.
The Braves now, now 20-2, advance to the district semifinals against 12-9 North Mahaska on Tuesday, Feb. 25.
After leading by eight points at the half, the Braves exploded for 30 points in the third quarter and a 68-49 lead. Montezuma got its lead out to 22 in the fourth before the Warriors mounted a late charge.
Braves swing player Cole Watts scored 29 points. Guard Trey Shearer scored 26 and dished 10 assists for Montezuma, which shot .770 from two-point range. The Braves assisted 23 of their 32 made field goals. In the process, Shearer set a new school record for career assists.
HLV, which finished at 7-17, made 13 three-pointers, but Montezuma made 12.
Post player Eddie Burgess scored 16 points for the Braves and guard Brayden Arendt had nine.
Carson Cheney scored 29 for the Warriors. Reed Ward had 18, all on three-pointers, and Brody Wolf scored 16 for Coach Dennis “Digger” Phelps’ team.
UP NEXT – Montezuma meets North Mahaska in Montezuma at 8 on Tuesday evening, Feb. 25. The other semifinal, matching Keota and BGM, starts at 6:30 p.m.
