Montezuma boys on a winning streak in 2008
Montezuma’s week of basketball competition was a short one as they played in two contests on Monday and Tuesday and then received the rest of the week off. The Braves faced the Iowa Valley Tigers on Monday, Jan. 7, and pulled out a conference victory by a final of 42-38.
“We played very well defensively and held Tyler Olson to a season low of 16 points,” stated Monte head coach Derek Schulte. “It was a total team effort on the defensive end and we had good balance on the offensive end. Austin Hester played well and had a double-double.”
Hester ended the game with 12 points and 12 rebounds. He also had two steals and two blocks. He went 4-for-5 from the free-throw line in the game. Iowa Valley led 7-6 after the first period Braves have won first three games of 2008 of play, but the Braves bounced back in the second quarter to lead 18-12 at halftime. The Tigers outscored Monte, 26-24, in the second half, but it was not enough.
The Braves shot 39 percent from within the 3-point line and made 12 of their 25 free-throw attempts.
Brett Gregson ended the night with nine points, three rebounds, two steals and two assists. Jake Kercheval led the Braves with four assists and also contributed a rebound and a point. Anthony Engelbarts put up nine points with seven rebounds and two blocks, while Colin Watts had three points and three rebounds. Cody Tompkins finished the game with two points, two assists and three rebounds, and Mason Tompkins had two points, two steals, two assists and a block. Ben Steele finished with two points and a board, while Damon Bryan had two points and two rebounds. Logan Johnston also had one rebound.
Braves top Savages in close battle Monte was back in action the next evening and defeated the Sigourney Savages for their eighth conference win of the season. Similar to their game the night before, the Braves were down 7-6 after the first period, but came back to win the game by a final of 46-39. “This was not a pretty game, but we found a way to get a win,” said Coach Schulte. “Tyler McKee and Brant Smothers sparked us off the bench and we were able to get another close win. Andy Cox made a couple key plays late in the fourth quarter. I am excited about winning our first three games after break, but we need to continue to find ways to improve each game.”
Montezuma outscored Sigourney, 14-9, in the second period to go into the half with a 20-16 lead. Each team scored nine points in the third quarter, but Monte won the final frame, 17-14.
The Braves had similar offensive numbers in their game against the Savages. They went 14-for-33 from two-point land and made 15 of their 24 free throws.
Hester and Cox each had eight points to lead the Braves. Hester also had a team-high seven rebounds with one steal and an assist. Cox grabbed five boards with two steals and an assist. Engelbarts scored seven points with four rebounds, and McKee had six points with a rebound and an assist. Cody Tompkins, Mason Tompkins and Smothers each scored four points. Cody finished with four rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Mason had one rebound and one assist. Smothers also had an assist. Steele ended the game with two points and an assist, and Kercheval had three rebounds, three assists, a steal and a point. Bryan scored two points with a rebound. Watts saw playing time and came away with a rebound.
Upcoming games:
Montezuma will take on English Valleys at home on Friday, Jan. 18 and then will face Tri-County in Thornburg on Monday, Jan. 21 in a make-up contest. The Braves will then host Lynnville-Sully the next evening.