Montezuma advances to Class 1A district final

The Montezuma boys basketball team finds itself in a Class 1A district final again and will, for the second straight season, face a conference opponent.

The Braves defeated two other South Iowa Cedar League opponents to get to this point and are set to face No. 8 Lynnville-Sully (23-0) Tuesday in Sully. The winner advances to the substate final.

The Hawks won the regular season contest, 58-51.

Montezuma’s first-round game against BGM last Monday gave the Braves a good test.

BGM kept things close, but a seven-point advantage in the first quarter proved to be the difference in the Braves’ 1A District 7 win.

Montezuma was led by Brady Boulton, with 17 points, and Dane Strong, with 16. Luke Brennan connected on two of the team’s five three-pointers, finishing with nine points.

Cayson Achenbach led BGM with 17 points off the bench, connecting on six of seven field goal attempts. BGM finished the season 6-17.

Montezuma advanced to play Sigourney in the District semifinal Thursday at home.

In similar fashion, a wide scoring differential in one quarter was the difference in the Braves’ 51-41 win. Montezuma outscored the Savages 15-4 in the second quarter.

Boulton had 17, and Talen Holland was also in double figures with 10.

The win put Montezuma at 20 wins for the season for the eighth time since 2007.