NEW SHARON – North Mahaska’s girls took control after halftime, and won going away over Montezuma, 51-40, Tuesday evening, Feb. 1, in a battle for first place in the South Iowa Cedar League.
Montezuma dominated the first half with defense, three-point shooting and depth. The Bravettes led 23-16 at halftime.
“We grew so much from the last time we played them,” said Bravettes Coach Janel Burgess. “I am extremely proud of our growth and we still have room for improvement.”
But the Warhawks outscored Montezuma 35-17 in the second half.
The Warhawks did it with defense, a tight man-to-man that coerced the Bravettes into some off-balance shots.
In the first half, North Mahaska started with full-court pressure, which keyed their win over the Bravettes in December.
But Montezuma broke that press. The Bravettes got to the rim, missed a lot of shots, but stuck four three-pointers during the half to get their seven-point lead.
North Mahaska post Layla Hargis picked up her third personal foul 15 seconds into the third quarter. But the Warhawks dropped their press, electing to play half-court man-to-man defense.
The Bravettes walked the ball up court, and couldn’t find the shooting angles they had in the first half.
North Mahaska lost freshman star Brecklyn Schilling to an ankle injury, but Addie Schilling came to the rescue She scored 14 points, with 8 of them coming in the fourth quarter.
The Bravettes led 33-31 after three periods. But the Warhawks couldn’t be stopped. North Mahaska outscored Montezuma 20-7 in the fourth quarter, protecting and expanding its lead with free throws down the stretch.
Shanae Wetering scored 16 points for the Bravettes and Ellen Cook had 12. Mia Boulton scored 8 points.
“Our young ladies will respond, learn and be ready for the next opportunity on the court,” Burgess said.
The win extended North Mahaska’s winning streak to 16 games. The Warhawks are 16-1, including 14-0 in league play.
The Bravettes had a nine-game streak ended. They are 15-3, including 12-2 against SICL teams.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma 9 14 10 7 – 40
North Mahaska 8 8 15 20 – 51
MONTEZUMA (40) – Madison Johannes 0-3, 1-3, 3, 1. Shanae Wetering 7-14, 1-4, 4, 16. Mia Boulton 3-6, 0-0, 3, 8. Jadyn Sharer 1-7, 0-0, 4, 3. Korrinn Kehoe 0-0, 0-0, 2, 0. Ellen Cook 5-15, 0-0, 3, 12. Izzy Roorda 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0. Kallie Robison 0-0, 0-0, 1, 0. Shiressa Wetering 0-1, 0-2, 2, 0. TOTALS – 16-46, 2-9, 23, 40.
Line score legend: Field goals made-attempted, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.
Turnovers: 19.
Rebounds: – 16 (Shan. Wetering 4, Sharer 4, Boulton 3, Roorda 2, Cook 1, Robison 1, Johannes 1).
Assists: 8 (Boulton 2, Sharer 2, Kehoe 2, Cook 2).
Steals: 5 (Shan. Wetering 2, Cook 2, Johannes 1S).
Block: 1 (Shan. Wetering).