February 27, 2018 By Chris Varney
The Game: The Montezuma Bravettes (20-3) battle the Central Decatur Cardinals (24-0) in the final first round game in Class 1A and the girls state tournament overall. Tip off at 6:45 pm on Wednesday, February 28.
The Background: Montezuma is making their 13th trip to the state tournament but their first since 1994. At the time, Janel Burgess was a senior player for Monte, now she is in the first year as the team’s Head Coach. 1994 was the first year that 5 on 5 basketball was incorporated — Monte won back to back 6 on 6 state titles in 1969 and 1970. Montezuma was the runner up in the SICL West Division this season, losing twice to North Mahaska and once to Sigourney. The Bravettes got revenge on the Warhawks by beating them in the regional finals 41-32.
Central Decatur (Leon, IA, about 13 miles from the Missouri border just off Interstate 35) is back in the state tournament for the third straight season and 6th trip overall. The last 2 years have produced losses in the first round, last year losing to Cascade Western Dubque 59-56. The Cardinals were qualifiers in Class 2A the last two seasons but dropped to 1A this year. Head Coach Curtis Booth got his 300th career victory on December 19 against Pleasantville.
The Players: Montezuma is led by 6’1″ Sophomore Shateah Wetering (13.7 ppg) who has already verbally committed to play at the University of Iowa. Wetering also leads the team in rebounds (7.3 rbg) and blocks (28). 5’8″ Junior Riley Gatton (10.8 ppg) and 5’5″ Freshman Elise Boulton (10.7 ppg) also average in double figures. Gatton leads the team in assists (60) and steals (70). Boulton leads the club in threes with 67 which ranks third in Class 1A. The other two starters tend to rotate among 5’10” Senior Breck Goodman (5.1 ppg), 5’7″ Senior Cassidy Watts (3.5 ppg), 5’5″ Senior Shelby Helm (3.5 ppg) and 5’9″ Senior Hanna Jones (3.1 ppg). Watts and Helm have started the last three games.
Central Decatur has a 1-2 punch with 5’10” Junior Emma Atwood (21.4 ppg, 6.5 rbg) and 5’10 Junior Allie Masters (18.8 ppg). Atwood is a two time state track qualifier in the high jump and leads all of Class 1A in scoring. Most of her points come in the paint, shooting 64% from the field but she is 13-43 from three point land and is 2nd on the team in rebounding. Masters has topped 1,000 points for her career, holds the school’s single season record in blocks and is an all-state volleyball player. She leads the team in rebounds (7.2 rbg), blocks (61), assists (105) and steals (102). The Cardinals start nothing but juniors with the other probables 5’9″ Abbie Ridgway (6.5 ppg), 5’6″ Alliey Boswell (5.5 ppg) and 5’8″ Erica Kauzlarich (6.1 ppg).
The Keys: So how good is Central Decatur? That is a tough question to answer because their strength of schedule is a little on the soft side — only 4 significant wins over good quality teams (Nodaway Valley, Mount Ayr, and Martensdale-St. Mary’s twice). They are a former 2A school and the Pride of Iowa is a large conference spread over South Central Iowa. Still, the Cardinals have not played a close game all season — their “closest” game is a 20 point win at Chariton on December 21.
I believe Montezuma must control the tempo. Coach Burgess says they like to run so the Bravettes will actually have to slow it down just a little. Not go into stall mode mind you but Montezuma is best when they can set up their offense and use their inside and outside balance to produce a good shot. Wetering is a lefty and somewhat awkward for teams to defend. Boulton has become a real threat from the outside. Central Decatur averages 70 points a game which is 2nd in Class 1A while Montezuma averages 58.5 a game. If they can get out and run and turn it into an offensive showcase, that will not favor Monte. The Bravettes must be deliberate and pick their spots.
Montezuma is a scary number 7 seed. They are a top 10 ranked team with a strong, aggressive defense that should be well prepared after surviving the wars in the South Iowa Cedar League. Central Decatur is a former 2A team that is undefeated and expects to win this year in the first round after disappointments in 2A the last two years. If Montezuma can control their nerves early and plays strong defense, they have a shot at the upset.
The Broadcast: It starts at 6:30 pm on Energy 106.7 FM and myiowainfo.com.