Rankings when North Mahaska and Montezuma meet only add fire to the rivalry between these two storied South Iowa Cedar League foes. They came into the contest with the Warhawks rated No. 2 in Class 2A and Montezuma seventh in Class 1A. Montezuma was able to shoot better from beyond the arc to win 53-45.
Montezuma drilled 13 3-pointers to just four for the Warhawks. North Mahaska struggled from the floor hitting 30 percent and just 18.2 from the arc. NM went 18-for-60 from the floor while the Bravettes were an efficient 18-for-37 hitting just six shots inside the perimeter.
North Mahaska trailed 14-5 after one period then Monte’s Ellen Cook hit a basket to go up 16-5 with 6 minutes 47 seconds to play in the half. It was the Bravettes last points of the half. NM scored the next 11 points to tie the game at 16-16 at intermission.
In the third quarter Libby Hargis put the Warhawks ahead 28-27 on a short jumper. Montezuma hit threes on their next possessions to take control 36-28 entering the four quarter. Monte built a 13-point lead with 1:27 to play. Two quick long balls by Breckyn Schilling quickly cut the lead to seven with 43 seconds to play. NM was forced to foul and Cook went 4-for-4 at the line. Sydney Andersen earned a traditional 3-point play with 19 seconds left for the Warhawks.
Andersen led all scorers with 20 points for North Mahaska. Schilling was the only other Warhawk in doble figures with 23. She led the team’s rebounding with five.
Claire Erselius led Monte with 18 points. Cook had 14 points, six rebounds, five assists and a block. Burgess blocked three shots. Vivian Cook scored nine points with three assists.
When the two teams met in November at North Mahaska Monte’s long balls were limited and North Mahaska shot the ball well. The tables turned Friday. If both teams win out, they will share the conference title.
North Mahaska travels to Woodward-Granger Monday and HLV Tuesday. They return home Friday to host Lynnville-Sully. L-S is two games back of both North Mahaska and Montezuma.