Warhawks' intensity pays off again
Jan. 27, 2012

NEW SHARON  - The Montezuma Bravettes had some moments against unbeaten, top-rated North Mahaska, but as coach Keith Sietstra pointed out, "it's hard to simulate their intensity in practice."

The Bravettes put up a spectacular second quarter of play, but the Warhawks' intensity throughout carried coach L.E. Moore's team to its 17th straight victory, 55-31, on Friday evening, Jan. 27.

"We had some wobbly wheels for a while in the first quarter and North Mahaska was able to take advantage of that," said Sietstra.

Actually, the Bravettes broke through the front end of North Mahaska's full court press on seven of their first nine possessions. But they had trouble finishing. Against a good team, inches can make the difference.

The Warhawks led 22-6 after one quarter.

"But we stepped it up and competed from that point forward," Siestra said.

The Bravettes briefly went to a zone look on defense, got a couple of stops, finished a time or two against the press, and started crawling their way back into contention.

Montezuma outscored the Warhawks 15-8 during the second quarter and twice got the North Mahaska lead down to six points.

But the Bravettes didn't get a field goal during the first six minutes of the third quarter and dropped out of contention - but not out of competition.

"Outside of that one run they went on, we felt like we competed and got better," Sietstra said. "Sometimes, when you are playing one of the best teams in the state, that's all you can ask for."

Hannah Ferguson and Tara Smith each had 13 points for the Warhawks, who made 18 fewer turnovers than Montezuma's 29.

Brynna Steele scored 12 points for the Bravettes and Emily Long caused some major aggravation for Warhawks who had driven in close by blocking nine of their shot attempts.

"We definitely had a much-improved performance from the first time we saw them and we just need to keep getting better," Sietstra said.

"We needed for force them into a half-court game and not gamble," said Siestra. "The story for us is the effort and intensity we get at the defensive end."

The Bravettes went to 11-8 overall and to 10-7 against the league.

"We are down to our final three regular season games with a chance to finish in the top three or four of what obvously is a very good conference this year," Sietstra said.

WATCH IT! - at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on Local Channel 3, with Keith Brake and Zach Price bringing home the action.

UP NEXT - The Bravettes host Belle Plaine on Tuesday.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Montezuma        6   15    6    4  -  31
North Mahaska  22    8   15  10 -  55

MONTEZUMA (31): Aly James 0, 0-0, 1, 0. Maranda Evans 0, 0-0, 0, 0. Alexis Ferguson 2, 0-0, 4, 4. Shena Bryan 0, 0-0, 0, 0. Carly Steele 2, 0-0, 0, 4. Courtney Petersen 0, 0-0, 0, 0. Madison Dawley 0, 0-0, 0, 0. Mackenzie James 2, 0-0, 0, 5. Brynna Steele 6, 0-3, 4, 12. Emily Long 3, 0-2, 2, 6. TOTALS: 15, 0-5, 11, 31.

NORTH MAHASKA (55): Kate Ray 4, 0-0, 0, 8. Hannah Ferguson 5, 2-2, 0, 13. Abbie Agan 2, 1-2, 0, 6. Jenna Lacey 2, 0-0, 2, 4. Hayley Spoelstra 1, 0-0, 0, 2. Mallory Boyle 4, 0-0, 2, 9. Hayley LaRue 0, 0-0, 0, 0. Tara Smith 6, 1-2, 5, 13. Cassie Hibler 0, 0-0, 0, 0. Makayla Ihde 0, 0-0, 0, 0. Allie Ferguson 0, 0-2, 2, 0. Kelsey Walkup 0, 0-0, 0, 0. TOTALS: 24, 4-8, 11, 55.

Three-point goals: Montezuma 1 (M. James 1). North Mahaska 3 (H. Ferguson 1, Agan 1, Boyle 1).
Fouled out: North Mahaska (Smith, 4:46 4th qtr.)
Turnovers: Montezuma 29, North Mahaska 11.
Bravette rebound leaders: B. Steele 7, Long 6.
Assists leaders: Ferguson 2, Long 2.
Steals leaders: Evans 1, C. Steele 1, B. Steele 1.
Blocks: Long 9, B. Steele 3.

Line score legend: Field goals made, free throws made-attempted, personal fouls, total points.

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