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Montezuma pushes past Sigourney with 2nd half surge
Three Braves finish in double figures
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
MONTEZUMA — From getting doubled up in the second quarter to nearly doubling up the opponent in the second half, Montezuma fought to remain undefeated in South Iowa Cedar League play.
After trailing by five at halftime, the Montezuma boys basketball team outscored Sigourney 42-22 in the second half Friday to win 69-54.
What changed following a lackluster second quarter in which Sigourney outscored the Braves 20-10?
Brady Boulton put it simply. “Just ball movement on offense.”
“They’re a good defense and had some size over us, and we weren’t really in a flow in the second. They limited our actions.”
In the second half, that changed.
“We were able to get to our second actions and get downhill more in the second half and get good looks,” Boulton said.
The Braves were getting baskets in the paint and some kick-out three-pointers.
It took the whole third quarter to reclaim the lead, but Montezuma chipped away at the deficit, taking the lead in the final minute on a basket from Tommy Heemstra on an offensive rebound.
Sigourney’s leading scorer John Berg scored eight of his 10 points in the third to keep the Savages afloat, but he was limited the other three quarters.
“Want to give credit to Dane (Strong) defensively,” Montezuma coach Derrick Dengler said. “We put him on Berg primarily, and he really carried the load defensively there. He held him under his average.”
Everything was humming for Montezuma in the fourth as Strong started the quarter off with a three and a layup off a Boulton steal.
Boulton followed with a three and made all eight foul shots in the quarter to go along with two assists to Talen Holland on consecutive baskets.
Both were a result of penetrating the paint, drawing multiple defenders and finding the open man.
“That’s how we want to play,” Boulton said. “It’s better for our offense when the wealth is spread around and we can get several guys in double figures. It’s what makes us hard to guard and more efficient.”
Boulton finished with a game-high 29 points with Strong and Holland also in double figures with 12 and 10, respectively.
Sigourney was balanced offensively, with all six scorers ranging from eight to 11 points.
Montezuma led 17-12 after a quarter before Sigourney made a run in the second. The Braves got five early points from Luke Brennan and threes from Easton Hudnut and Brooks Wilson.
The Savages were able to get a lot of points in the paint, especially in the second.
“Credit to Sigourney, they’ve got a good team a they do a lot of good things,” Dengler said.
The win moved Montezuma to 8-2 for the season and 7-0 in SICL play.
