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Braves don’t panic; hold on for win over Sigourney
Boulton’s late three seals win for the Braves
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MONTEZUMA — The Montezuma boys basketball team watched its 10-point fourth quarter lead quickly dissipate, but they didn’t panic.
The Braves came out on top over Sigourney, 53-49, in a Class 1A second-round district game Thursday night in Montezuma.
“We didn’t panic down the stretch when they made a run,” Montezuma guard Brady Boulton said. “We’ve played in a lot of close games against really good teams.
“Using that experience and trusting each other down the stretch, doing whatever it takes to win.”
Sigourney took the lead at 46-45 late in the fourth, and the Braves followed with a 8-0 run, including a clutch three from Brady Boulton to seal the game.
The Braves’ season ended in the second round last season. They were determined to not let that happen this time around.
“We felt we underperformed last year, but we had a lot of guys come back this year,” said Boulton.
Four threes from David Rose at important moments proved to be pivotal for the Braves, as they struggled with turnovers at times.
“I trusted my teammates, and they found the open man,” said Rose. ”I was sitting in the corner and they sinked off me, and I shot it with confidence.“
The Braves hit seven threes in the game.
The game was low scoring, starting with a Braves 10-7 lead in the first.
Offense picked up in the second as both Boulton and Kohen Holland got going.
The lead rose to 15 before the Savages scored the last two baskets from Isaac Bruns to close out the half at 28-17.
The lead did not change much in the third.
Bruns scored seven in the third, and the Savages ended the quarter down nine after a Solon Yates three.
After Rose’s fourth triple of the game, the Braves led 43-33, and that is when the Savages’ run began.
It started with four straight free throws and a basket from Ike Molyneux and John Berg.
A few more stops, and Berg scored again. The Savages had the lead at 46-45, their only other lead of the game after scoring first at 2-0.
The next possession, arguably the biggest of the game as the away crowd roared, the Braves got a basket inside from Holland.
Boulton added two free throws and, after another stop, shot a step back three from the corner to ice the game, making the score 52-46 with under 30 seconds remaining.
“There’s nothing better than that,” Boulton said of the clutch shot. “That’s why you play the game right there, for those big moments.”
“I’m fortunate to have the coaches and teammates that trust me to take those shots.”
Boulton scored a team-high 18 in the win. Holland, who had a nice presence in the paint, added 14. Rose had 12 from his threes.
The Savages were led by Bruns’ 19. Berg was also in double figures, with 12.
The Braves extended their postseason run and will play in the District 9 final Tuesday at Grinnell High School against familiar foe North Mahaska, the team responsible for two of the three Braves’ losses this season.
The winner will advance to the Substate 5 final, with a trip to state on the line.
