Montezuma basketball players wrap up prep careers at IBCA All-Star game

Four Montezuma Senior basketball players were chosen to participate in the IBCA All-Star Game held on Saturday, March 27 at Dallas Center-Grimes. Pictured are, from left: Braves and Bravettes Assistant Coach, Greg Long, Braves Coach Derrick Dengler, Trey Shearer, Cole Watts, Rex and Barb Baker, long-time Montezuma score keepers; Dylan Holland, Elise Boulton and Bravettes Coach Janel Burgess.
Photo submitted by Natalie Holland

by J.O. Parker
 
   Montezuma’s Trey Shearer, Cole Watts, Elise Boulton and Dylan Holland, will soon be off to college and doing great things in life, but before that happens, the four basketball players had one more chance to hit the hardwood as high school seniors.
   All four participated in the IBCA All-Star Game on Saturday, March 27 at Dallas Center-Grimes.
  The All-Star game bring the best players from all across Iowa together for a day of fun, fellowship and basketball. The state is divided into four quadrants, southeast, northeast, southwest and northwest.
  Elise and Dylan represented Montezuma on the southeast team and were coached by Coach Janel Burgess, their high school coach who guided the Bravettes to a 23-2 record and semifinal finish at state.
   Elise scored 10 points in the 67-63 loss to the northeast team.
  In the consolation game, Elise chipped in five points while Dylan finished with six points in a close 69-67 game against the northwest team.
   “It was such a fun experience to play with and against girls I played with in AAU,” said Elise. “We also made a ton of new friends that were so welcoming and fun to play with. It was a low-pressure environment and the last time Dylan and I will be coached by Coach Burgess. I was honored and thankful for my selection to the games.”
   “The IBCA All-Star game was a blast,” said Dylan. “Each team represented a region of Iowa. The players for each team were chosen for being one of the best in their region. Overall, it was so much fun to play against and see the amazing talent Iowa has.”
   The set up was the same on the boys’ side, with the state being divided into four quadrants.
  Trey and Cole played on the southeast team and where coached by CDerrick Dengler, who led the Braves to a 22-2 record and Class 1A State Championship.
   Cole scored 12 points and Trey finished with 19 points in what, according to the score, was a game with no defense, in a 130-90 loss to the northeast team.
  In the consolation game, the southeast team took on the northwest team. Trey finished with 19 points and Cole added 15 points in the 136-106 loss.
  “The IBCS All-Star basketball game was a great experience for me,” said Cole. “It was a nice and relaxing day to get to play basketball and represent my community. My favorite part of the games were going head to head with some great athletes and just getting to know them! It opened my eyes to the skill out there and it was an honor to play alongside them. They were all amazing and respectful kids and it was a pleasure. Looking at the final score there really was no defense but when there is so much talent offensively it makes sense for what seems like a lack of defense. Finally, the event felt special because that’s the last time I’ll ever play high school basketball. I just want to thank my parents, close family and friends, teachers, community and coaches for giving me this opportunity to represent them. I was definitely sad to play my final game of high school.”
   “That was a really fun opportunity for Cole and I, getting to play our last game together,” said Trey. “Playing for Dengler one more time and being part of the experience with Elise and Dylan, who are equally deserving, was fun.”
   “It was a lot of fun to be able to coach Trey and Cole one more time,” said Coach Dengler. “And a great way for them to be honored on having such great careers.”
    “Dylan and Elise represented our community so well,” added Coach Burgess. “We loved playing with many other great players and our two Bravettes were awesome. I loved coaching them one more time where we could laugh, have fun and truly cherish one last moment.”
    And along to help keep score were Rex and Barb Baker, fixtures at the Montezuma basketball game score table and other Montezuma sports.
    “It was an honor for us to be able to work the score table at the IBCA All-Star game,” noted Rex and Barb Baker. “And to watch Elise, Dylan, Cole and Trey play, and Janel and Derick coach, that was icing on the cake! We truly enjoy doing what we do at Montezuma. This was definitely a season to remember.”