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Braves make second half strides vs. Keota
Jan. 9, 2012
There was a little game going on within the game as unbeaten, state-rated Keota turned back Montezuma 53-40 on Monday evening, Jan. 9, on the Braves' hardwood.
Last month, the Eagles beat the Braves 64-39, shredding Montezuma after leading by 15 at halftime.
Monday night, Keota led by 15 at halftime, but the Braves made a determined run at the Eagles after intermission.
"We wanted to 'win' the third quarter," said Montezuma coach Derek Schulte. The Braves outscored Keota 11-6 in the third quarter and limited Keota's offense to 18 second half points.
Twice the Braves cut Keota's lead to 10 points and had chances to slice even more off the lead.
That didn't happen, then Keota padded its lead with 6-4 wing Casey Sieren showing why many think he's the South Iowa Cedar League's best player. "We did a great job in our zone, but we gave him too many high post looks," said Schulte. "Sieren is a tough matchup. But our second half should be a confidence-builder."
Sieren wound up with 24 points. He outlet passing after defensive rebounds got the Eagles' transition game going and created opportunities for teammates.
"And give them credit. They controlled tempo in the first half," Schulte said. "They got too many shots right at the rim, but Sieren had a lot to do with that. We dug ourselves too big of a hole."
The Bravettes couldn't hit open treys in the first quarter and trailed 14-6 at the break.
Sieren scored 14 points in the first half and his pinpoint passing helped teammate Kolton Greiner score all 11 of his points before intermission. Keota outscored the Braves 21-14 in the second quarter to go up 35-20.
Guard Stephen Vavroch found some driving room during the second half for the Braves. He scored 12 of his team-high 17 points during the third and fourth quarters. Forward Nathan Wheeler scored thee baskets in each half. But after those two, Montezuma scoring fell off to 5 points, put up by reserve guard Coleton Tompkins.
Forward Zach Gibson caused some grief for Keota on the inside with his defensive play, which included 5 steals.
Gibson and Wheeler each had 6 rebounds while Kane Barker had 5 and that rebounding effort a quick flow in a 2-3 zone allowed the Braves to control tempo for a while in the second half.
Montezuma was 17-for-51 from the field (33 percent) which included 3-for-19 from behind the arc. Keota shot 48 percent on 21-for-44 from the field.
"I'm not satisfied with the result but I'm proud of the improvement," said Schulte. "We can certainly build off that second half."
WATCH IT! - at 1 and 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday on Local Channel 3, with Keith Brake and Zach Price bringing home the action.
NEXT UP - The Braves are at Iowa Valley on Tuesday, Jan.10.
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Keota 14 21 6 12 - 53
Montezuma 6 14 11 9 - 40
KEOTA (53): Trevor Draisey 2, 1-1, 1, 6. Derek Berg 3, 0-0, 3, 6. Kolton Greiner 4, 1-2, 2, 11. Luke Lyle 1, 0-0, 0, 2. Nate Owen 2, 0-0, 1, 4. Casey Sieren 9, 6-6, 3, 24. Caleb Ahrens 0, 0-0, 1, 0. TOTALS: 21, 8-9, 11, 53.
MONTEZUMA (40): Brady Losure 0, 0-0, 2, 0. Dillon Wilhlem 0, 0-0, 1, 0. Zach Gibson 1, 0-0, 0, 2. Codi Townsend 0, 0-0, 0, 0. Tyler Swenson 0, 0-0, 2, 0. Kane Barker 1, 0-2, 1, 2. Coleton Tompkins 2, 0-0, 2, 5. Stephen Vavroch 6, 3-4, 2, 17. Nathan Wheeler 6, 0-0, 3, 12. Matt Armstrong 1, 0-0, 1, 2. TOTALS: 17, 3-6, 14, 40.
Three-point goals: Keota 3 (Greiner 2, Draisey 1). Montezuma 3 (Vavroch 2, Tompkins 1).
Fouled out: none.
Turnovers: Keota 18, Montezuma 15.
Braves rebound leaders: Wheeler 6, Gibson 6, Barker 5.
Assists leader: Vavroch 5.
Steals leader: Gibson 5.
Line score legend: Field goals made, free throws made/attempted, personal fouls, total points.
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