NEW SHARON – Another battle for US 63 took place Friday in New Sharon as South Iowa Cedar League rivals Montezuma met. The game was everything a basketball fan would expect with North Mahaska winning 58-46.
In the first quarter there were six lead changes and a tie as North Mahaska took a 13-10 lead through the first eight minutes. In the second quarter the host Warhawks held Montezuma and Brady Boulton to two field goals. Boulton, the Braves’ team leader, finished the first half with 17 points, six of those on free throws in the second period. A Lucas Nunnikhoven 3-pointer late in the quarter gave NM a 28-23 lead at intermission.
Montezuma (1-1) won the third period tying the game at 36-36 but the Warhawk defense stepped up and slowly pulled away in the final frame.
“We played really, really hard tonight,” said NM coach Kevin Kelderman, who was coaching his first home game as head coach. “It took us awhile to figure out what they were doing defensively.”
Asher DeBoef, who is the do-everything player for the Warhawks had foul trouble, but senior Adrian Smith and junior Trenton DeBruin pounded the boards and was able to score in the paint. It was second chance points that aided the NM offense.
“Arian and Trenton came into the game and gave us a lift when we had some foul trouble.,” said Kelderman. “Jack (Kelderman) also worked hard inside.”
North (2-0) Mahaska outrebounded Montezuma 37-33. Gabe Hora provided the big punch for the Warhawks hitting six 3-pointers in the second half while Boulton had just two.
“Lucas Nunnikhoven did a great job hounding Brady,” said Kelderman. “He was unable to get clean looks at the basket. Gabe, of course, hit some big shots in the second half when we needed them.”
Boulton finished with 25 points for the only double-digit scorer for Monte. Hora led NM with 20 and just missed a double-double with nine boards. Smith also just missed a double-double chipping in 12 points and nine boards. DeBoef finished with 10 points and six rebounds. Kelderman doled out seven assists.
North Mahaska hosts HLV Tuesday in another SICL matchup.
