Girls Game
MONTEZUMA – No. 13 in Class 1A, Montezuma, defending their home turf Friday with a 52-40 victory over Class 2A North Mahaska. It was the Bravettes winning the free throw contest to top North Mahaska.
There were 39 free throws taken in the foul-fest contest. The Bravettes hit 15-of-22 while North Mahaska sank just 3-of-17.
“We missed too many free throws and that was the ball game,” said NM coach L.E. Moore. “We had trouble getting some shots to fall but missing that many free throws hurt us tonight. We have to get better.”
Despite the trouble at the line North Mahaska (11-2, 9-1) led the entire first half taking a 19-17 lead into the locker room. NM was 3-for-4 in the first half. The second half saw the Warhawks go to the line 13 times and hit just one. NM trailed 37-32 entering the fourth period and was forced to foul. Monte went 10-of-14 at the line the final frame.
The Bravettes also won the battle of the long ball dropping in seven 3-pointers while North Mahaska hit just two.
Sydney Andersen had a solid game inside for North Mahaska with 13 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Breckyn Schilling, who went of the game late in the third period with an injury, finished with eight points, two assists and a block. Aly Steil scored seven with three steals and three assists. Regan Grew added six points and six rebounds.
Montezuma (11-2, 8-2) had two in double figures with Shiressa Wettering leading the way with 15. Ellen Cook scored 10 points with seven assists and five rebounds.
North Mahaska, who is tied with Lynnville-Sully for the conference lead, has a busy week. They travel to Baxter Monday then hosts HLV on Tuesday. They will play at L-S on Friday in a rivalry game that could determine who controls the race for the league crown.
Boys Game
North Mahaska junior Asher DeBoef outdueled Montezuma’s Brady Boulton for the game scoring lead pouring in 32 points as the Warhawks defeated Montezuma in Monte Friday, 66-58. Both players were shooting well, but North Mahaska was able to keep the remaining Braves in check to secure the South Iowa Cedar League win and avenge a 20-point loss earlier this season.
DeBoef scored 18 first half points, but none was more exciting than his half-court shot as time expired at the end of the first half to give NM a 12-point advantage. North Mahaska would extend the lead to 15 as they entered the final frame.
Montezuma stepped up its defense and Boulton came alive scoring 13 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter but it wasn’t enough.
“Asher was on fire,” said NM coach Seth Streebin. “He is so fast, and he had a lot of rebounds. He just works so hard out there.”
DeBoef’s teammate, senior Nate Sampson added 10 of his 16 to propel the Warhawks to the 34-22 halftime lead.
Gabe Hora, who is one of North Mahaska’s top 3-point shooters scored three points but drew the attention of the Monte defense.
“Because of how far out Gabe can shoot he drew coverage and opened the door for other players tonight,” said Streebin. “The guys took advantage of what Monte was doing defensively.”
Both teams hit 16 doubles and seven treys in the game. Montezuma held the rebounding edge 36-26, but the Warhawks were able to take advantage of the second chance boards.
DeBoef added five rebounds, three steals and an assist and Sampson had 16 points, six rebounds and an assist. Nolan Andersen scored nine points with seven rebounds and two blocks. Brayden Veiseth had five steals and a block.
Boulton added five rebounds, five steals, four assists and a block to his game resume. Garrett Watts had a double-double with 12 points and 12 boards.
The victory puts the Warhawks (9-4, 8-3) in fourth place in the South Iowa Cedar League race. Keota remains on top at 10-0 with Lynnville-Sully a game back at 9-1. Belle Plaine is 8-2 in league play. North Mahaska has a busy week. They travel to Baxter Monday for a nonconference tilt then hosts HLV Tuesday. Friday the Warhawks play at L-S in a key SICL contest.
