Daily Newsletters
Account
Washington Evening Journal
111 North Marion Avenue
Washington, IA 52353
319-653-2191
Montezuma’s defense stifles EV, holds Bears to 23 points
Bravettes’ balanced offense led by 16 from Cook
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
NORTH ENGLISH — When the offense is not clicking at the rate you hope for, having a good defense to rely on can pay huge dividends.
Class 1A No. 11 Montezuma held English Valleys to just 23 points in a South Iowa Cedar League girls basketball matchup Friday. The Bravettes won 48-23.
“Our main focal point was on defense,” starting guard Vivian Cook said. “We’ve been struggling on offense recently, but we came in knowing if we could stop them from scoring as much they have been, that would be a huge benefit for us.”
The Bravettes did not allow the Bears to score in double figures in any quarter and did so by not allowing a lot of easy shots and by forcing turnovers.
“We really focused on stopping their backdrop,” Cook said. “A lot of times they come up high with their posts and the back rolls to the basket. It was a huge thing to be in help defense and prevent that.”
Pressing full court after a basket, an added wrinkle for Montezuma this season, was key to the Bravettes stealing the ball 19 times during the game.
“We’ve been working on our press a lot and trying some new things there,” Cook said.
The plan was effective Friday night.
Montezuma jumped out to a 12-3 lead after a quarter. Cook connected on two of her five three-pointers in the game.
English Valleys had its best offensive stretch in the second, scoring nine points.
Anna Luers scored four of her team-high seven, and Aubrey Achenbach added a 5-0 spurt.
The Bravettes led 23-12 at halftime, with Cook leading all scorers with 13.
The rest of the Montezuma starters produced more offensively in the second half.
Sydnee Burgess started with two quick baskets in the post, and Lauryn Larmore added two threes.
“Finding our post was key for us in moving the ball and not rushing,” Cook said.
The Bravettes shot only 29.8% from the field but crashed the boards effectively, totaling 12 offensive rebounds.
“We’ve been focusing a lot on rebounds this year, finding a body and boxing out as hard as we can,” Cook said.
Cook finished with a game-high 16 points as part of a balanced Bravettes’ quartet. Burgess and Larmore each added 10, and Claire Erselius was right behind with nine.
“Ball movement is key for us, and ultimately utilizing our players at each position the best we can,” Cook said on the balance.
After Luers’ seven points for English Valleys, Kaylynn Caster scored six points.
Montezuma moved to 4-1 for the season. English Valleys took its first loss of the season and is now 2-1.
