Class 1A No. 3 Montezuma too much for L-S girls

SULLY — The Lynnville-Sully girls basketball team recovered from a slow start against Class 1A No. 3 Montezuma on Tuesday, but the Hawks couldn’t overcome the Bravettes’ second half push during a 51-41 home loss.

Montezuma won the South Iowa Cedar League matchup thanks to a 29-22 advantage in the second half.

“We need to improve our communication on defense and work on our positioning,” L-S head girls basketball coach Jerry Hulsing said. “Our offensive execution was lacking. The ball needs to move more quickly, along with better player movement, to find the open teammate.”

Lynnville-Sully couldn’t complete the rally in part because it shot 24 percent from the floor and committed 19 turnovers.

The Hawks were 17-of-24 from the free-throw line. Montezuma shot 35 percent from the floor and turned the ball over only four times.

Kate Harthoorn led Lynnville-Sully (1-2, 0-1 in the conference) with 11 points, three rebounds and four assists.

Ava Brummel collected six points and a career-best 17 rebounds, Tatum Huyser made her season debut with seven points, five rebounds and three assists and Alaina Roberts tallied six points and five boards.

Breah Lowry contributed five points and six rebounds, Brilynn Tice finished with four points and three rebounds and Brooke Harthoorn grabbed six rebounds.

Montezuma (1-3, 1-1) led 16-9 after one quarter. L-S pulled within two at halftime after outscoring the Bravettes 11-6 in the second.

Shiressa Wetering led Montezuma with 12 points and three rebounds, Claire Erselius put in 10 points and Sydnee Burgess collected eight points and nine rebounds.

Montezuma made 6-of-24 from 3 and connected on 9-of-12 from the foul line. Two of the Bravettes’ three losses came against 2A No. 4 North Mahaska and 2A Pella Christian.