Garrigan silences Montezuma’s perimeter game in a Class 1A quarterfinal

DES MOINES — This was a case of stolen identity.

Montezuma was the team known for its prolific outside shooting. On this day, they were both outgunned and overmatched.

Zoe Montag hit four of Algona Garrigan’s eight 3-point shots, and the fourth-ranked Golden Bears silenced No. 6 Montezuma’s perimeter game in a 69-31 Class 1A quarterfinal rout at the girls’ state basketball tournament Wednesday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena.

“That was one of our keys to the game,” Montag said of Garrigan’s perimeter defense. “Close-outs, quick feet ... I think that really set us apart in this game.”

Garrigan (23-3) advances to face No. 1 Council Bluffs St. Albert (23-1) in a 1A semifinal at 1:30 Friday afternoon. The Golden Bears lost to St. Albert in the first round last year.

“We’re excited to play them again,” Montag said. “We’re on a revenge tour.”

Garrigan Coach Brandon Schwab said, “It left a sour taste that we were one-and-done last year. There was a video of the tears in our locker room after that loss, and we showed that.

“I think we have a team that can compete for a state championship.”

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They looked the part Wednesday, on both ends of the floor.

Montezuma (19-6) entered the game averaging 9.3 3-pointers per game. The Bravettes were 1-of-15 Wednesday.

“They really took it away from us,” Montezuma Coach Janel Burgess said. “And turnovers were crucial. Ultimately, we didn’t take care of the ball.”

The Bravettes coughed it up 19 times.

Montezuma has qualified for state six times in Burgess’ eight-year tenure. The Bravettes advanced to the semifinals in 2019 and 2021.

“We’ve got to become better athletes,” Burgess said. “To get from this level to that level ... ”

She pointed at the Garrigan girls in the media room.

“We’re not there yet.”

Montag paced Garrigan with 16 points. Graclyn Eastman contributed 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Shiressa Wetering led Montezuma with 11 points and six rebounds.

Algona Garrigan 69, Montezuma 31

Class 1A State Quarterfinal, at Des Moines

MONTEZUMA (31): Ellen Cook 4-16 0-0 9, Vivian Cook 0-1 2-2 2, Sydnee Burgess 1-2 0-0 2, Claire Erselius 1-6 2-2 4, Shiressa Wetering 5-10 1-2 11, Lindsey Henry 0-0 0-0 0, Lauryn Larmore 0-3 0-0 0, Ryanne Williams 0-0 0-0 0, Sophia Semprini 0-0 0-0 0, Mya Smothers 0-0 0-0 0, Letisia Wilson 0-0 0-0 0, Alexa Rose 1-3 1-1 3, Khloe Krouse 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 12-41 6-7 31.

ALGONA GARRIGAN (69): Emmi Bartolo 4-8 0-0 10, Graclyn Eastman 5-10 2-4 12, Madelyn Tigges 3-5 5-5 11, Zoe Montag 5-13 2-4 16, Sacha Alesch 3-9 2-2 9, Alyssa Haugland 0-0 0-0 0, Brooklyn Berte 0-1 0-0 0, Addyson Faris 0-0 0-0 0, Shiloh Trainer 0-0 0-0 0, Lillian Erp-Wickman 0-1 0-0 0, Carley Nielson 3-4 0-0 6, Jenna Peterson 0-0 0-0 0, Ava Roethler 1-1 2-2 5, Bree Ludwig 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 24-54 13-17 69.

Montezuma 8 6 12 5 — 31

Algona Garrigan 16 23 20 10 — 69

3-point goals: Montezuma 1-15 (E. Cook 1-6, V. Cook 0-1, Erselius 0-3, Larmore 0-3, Rose 0-2), Garrigan 8-22 (Bartolo 2-4, Montag 4-9, Alesch 1-4, Erp-Wickman 0-1, Nielson 0-1, Roethler 1-1, Ludwig 0-2). Team fouls: Montezuma 9, Garrigan 13. Fouled out: none. Rebounds: Montezuma 22 (Wetering 6), Garrigan 38 (Eastman 14). Assists: Montezuma 4 (E. Cook 2), Garrigan 14 (Bartolo 6). Steals: Montezuma 6 (V. Cook, Erselius 2), Garrigan 12 (Alesch 4). Turnovers: Montezuma 19, Garrigan 12.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com