Braves’ players buy into roles

MONTEZUMA — The Montezuma boys’ basketball team boasts a 15-2 record after a 86-41 victory over Colfax-Mingo Friday night.

Take out North Mahaska as an opponent, and they’re undefeated.

What has contributed to the team’s consistent success this season?

The easy answer would be star guard Brady Boulton, who has continued to rack up the points with 496 through 17 games.

Boulton is one of the best players in the state in Class 1A and certainly deserves a lot of credit, but it’s the contributions from others that have led to a batter record this season for the Braves.

“I think it’s easy for someone to look at our team from the outside and give Brady most of the credit,” Montezuma coach Derrick Dengler said.

“Brady is obviously a very tremendous player. But all of our guys need to be credited with being willing to play a role and do what gives us the best chance to win, and they have been great at that this year.”

Dane Strong, Max Anderson and Kohen Holland have all shone in their roles.

Through 17 games, the three are separated by only nine total points scored.

The trio has done more than be consistent secondary scorers.

“Kohen has played such a crucial role as a rim defender and rebounder and lets us play our pressure-style,“ said Dengler. ”Max, in addition to good outside shooting, is also our secondary ball-handler and helps get the offense set up and spaced out.“

“Dane also has been asked too often to guard one of the opposing team’s best players,” Dengler said.

The Braves have four regular season games left, but the formula for success will remains the same.

“That willingness to buy into different roles is what has led to our success this season,” Dengler said.

DeMeulenaere, Roth reach 1,000-point milestone

Two area players joined the 1,000-point club in this week’s action.

In a 67-37 loss to Sigourney Tuesday, Belle Plaine senior Sam DeMeulenaere reached the mark.

DeMeulenaere scored 19 in the loss and has been the Plainsmen’s leading scorer all season.

The team did pick up its fourth win of the season in an non-conference game against BCLUW Thursday, winning 59-52.

HLV-TC’s Peyton Roth crossed the 1,000-point mark in a 66-41 loss to Hillcrest Academy Saturday.

Through 16 games, Roth is averaging 19.8 points per game.

Roth also become the fourth player in school history to achieve the feat.