Some of the Montezuma Junior High Girls' basketball players give big smiles and thumbs up as they take on a beat Baxter in a home game on Thursday, Jan. 13. The A team won, 41-10, and the B team played two quarters, winning 20-11.

​      Tyler Geiger, left, also known as Tyler Richton, lead singer with the Deep River-based Tyler Richton and High Bank Boys, belts out a Johnny Cash tune while guitarists Preston Hirsch and Kaya Latcham, along with the Montezuma Pep Band, rock the house during alumni pep band night on Friday, Jan. 7. 

     Montezuma's Masin Shearer goes airborne to make a pass during the game against the English Valleys Bears at home on Friday, Jan. 7. The Braves lost to the Bears in overtime, 53-31. The Braves hold a 7-2 record in the SICL-West Conference and 7-3 record overall.

     Montezuma's Shanae Wetering drives to the hoop against an English Valleys defender in home action on Friday, Jan. 7. Montezuma won the game, 49-27, to improve to 9-2 on the season.

Montezuma High School Band

By J.O. Parker
 
     It was an evening filled with music and song as the Montezuma choirs and band gave their annual holiday performances on Thursday, Dec. 16 in the school auditorium.
      The program originally called for the band to perform on Dec. 15 and the choir to follow on Dec. 16. Due to the derecho like winds on Dec. 15, the two concerts were combined.
     The evening opened with performances by the sixth grade band followed by the junior high and high school bands, all under the direction of Carrie Burnett.
    The sixth grade band performed three numbers including “Que Verdes Son – O Christmas Tree,” “Holiday Shopping,” and “Rockin’ St. Nick.” The junior high band performed “Joyful Tidings! God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman,” “Christmas Celebration Military Escort,” and “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” And the high school band finished with “Upon the Housetop – Down in New Orleans,” “While Angels Watched,” and “Ukrainian Bell Carol.”
    Following a short break, the evening continued with the sixth grade choir performing “You’re A Mean One Mr. Grinch,” “Circle ‘Round the Moon,” and “Cold Snap,” all under the direction of Mackenzie Maurice.
    The junior high choir followed with the performance of, “Christmas… In About 3 Minutes,” “Hey Ho, Nobody’s Home,” and “Carol of the Bells” which featured the high school choir on the final song. The evening ended with five songs performed by the high school choir. They included “The Wellerman,” “Ubi Caritas,” “Amid the Cold of Winter,” “Cantate Domino,” and “The Seal Lullaby.”

Montezuma Elementary Sixth Grade Band

Montezuma Junior High Band

Montezuma Elementary Sixth Grade Choir

Montezuma Junior High Choir

Montezuma Junior High & High School Choirs

Montezuma High School Choir

Colton Benson, 14, and Owen Cook, 15, apply defensive pressure in the non-conference Tater Tough varsity game against Williamsburg on Saturday, Dec. 18 at home. The Braves played tough in the 56-49 loss.

Montezuma Bravettes Head Coach Janel Burgess pumps up her players during a timeout in the non-conference Tater Tough game against Williamsburg on Saturday, Dec. 18. Montezuma lost the game by two points, 48-46. Next up for the Bravettes is a road trip to Keota on Tuesday, Jan. 4.

Montezuma's Nik Kotar drives through two Williamsburg defenders in a junior varsity/reserve varsity game at home on Saturday, Dec. 18.

Shiressa Wetering applies defensive pressure in a junior varsity/reserve varsity game on Saturday, Dec. 18 against Williamsburg. 

Montezuma's Mason Shearer drives to the hoop in a 50-34 loss to the North Mahaska Warhawks.