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North Mahaska took to the Montezuma basketball court with an all out aerial assault Friday. Both boys’ teams put up a combined 64 3-point shots but it was free throws that put the lid on a 59-56 North Mahaska win.

Montezuma jumped out on top to open the game leading 15-6 at one point in the first quarter. NM cut the lead but the Braves answered to take a 19-11 lead after one quarter. Max Anderson’s basket with 5 minutes 43 seconds to play in the half made the score 21-15. The Braves would not score again for the next five minutes when they tied the score 23-23 at halftime.

The third quarter was a back and forth game until Asher DeBoef’s 3-pointer at the end of the period, which gave North Mahaska a lead they were never relinquish.

The difference in the game was likely the free throw line. North Mahaska shot 11-for-17 at the line while the Braves only shot three hitting two. The Warhawks were 6-for-11 in the final period.

RD Keep/North Mahaska Communications
Asher DeBoef airs himself against Montezuma’s Kohen Holland (21) in the first half. DeBoef scored 16 points including a 3-pointer at the end of the third period to give North Mahaska the lead in a 59-56 win.

Four Warhawks finished in double figures led by Gabe Hora’s 18 points, DeBoef had a solid night with 16 points, 18 rebounds, three assists and a steal. Adrian Smith added 11 points, eight rebounds and a block. Lucas Nunnikhoven scored 10 points on two steals and two assists.

North Mahaska outrebounded Montezuma 35-24 and turned the ball over 10 times to 12 for Monte.

Montezuma star Brady Boulton led the Braves with 22 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block. Kohen Holland chipped in nine points, 10 rebounds, two steals and a block. Dane Strong had eight points.

The victory gave North Mahaska sole possession of first place in the South Iowa Cedar League. They own a one game lead over Montezuma and Keota. The Warhawks have swept the Braves this season. Their lone league loss came to Keota a week ago, but then Keota lost at Sigourney. If North Mahaska wins its next three league games with HLV, Lynnville-Sully and Colfax-Mingo, they will win the title outright.

North Mahaska travels to Woodward-Granger Monday for a nonconference tilt then goes to HLV Tuesday,