If there’s one way to sum up the mindset of the Bishop Garrigan Golden Bears girls basketball team on defense, it’s to take away what the opposing team does best. It’s a task that is easier said than done for many teams, but on Wednesday afternoon from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines it was done nearly perfectly by Bishop Garrigan in a 69-31 win over the Montezuma Bravettes in class 1A Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state quarterfinal action.
Entering the game, Montezuma stood atop the state leaderboard in all classes with 9.2 three point buckets per game, while attempting the most in class 1A and third most in the state overall at 28.2, shooting at a 32.7% clip, also top three in class 1A. Wednesday, the Bravettes were held to 1/15 on three pointers, not making a single three pointer in the first half while Bishop Garrigan was busy leading wire to wire, including 39-14 at the half.
Bishop Garrigan Head Coach Brandon Schwab’s number one focus in preparation was in stopping the three point shot.
The story couldn’t have been more different offensively on the Golden Bear side of the court, as all five starters scored at least nine points and the Golden Bears drained eight three pointers to run away with another state tournament victory.
Senior Zoe Montag led the charge with 16 points, jumpstarting the Bishop Garrigan offense with a pair of first quarter threes, and finishing the night with four triples.
Schwab saw a relentless effort from his lone senior.
Montag didn’t feel fazed by the environment of the state tournament.
Bishop Garrigan would outscore Montezuma 16-8 in the first quarter and 23-6 in the second, building an insurmountable lead by halftime. Junior Emmi Bartolo felt the Golden Bears caught the Bravettes on their heels to start the game.
Sophomore Graclyn Eastman recorded her 14th double double of the season with 12 points and 14 boards, including five of the twelve offensive boards by Bishop Garrigan. Freshman Madelyn Tigges made the most of her first game at Wells Fargo Arena with 11 points, including making all five of her free throw attempts, while Bartolo scored 10, and junior Sacha Alesch added 9.
Schwab commended complete team effort in a balanced performance from the Golden Bears.
According to Bartolo, the trust that each player has in their teammates has allowed the offense to flow smoothly.
Wednesday’s win marked the 5th straight game for the Golden Bears scoring at least 68 points. Four different Golden Bears connected on three point shots, with Bartolo, Alesch, Montag, and junior Ava Roethler all making at least one. Alesch says Bishop Garrigan only takes purposeful shots on offense.
Tigges described Bishop Garrigan as unselfish on offense.
Bishop Garrigan would hold Montezuma senior Ellen Cook, who entered averaging 14.6 points per game, to just 9 points on 4/16 from the field, including 1/6 on 3s. Sophomore Vivian Cook, posting a solid 12.9 points per contest, scored just two points, both on made free throws, and attempted just a single field goal. Senior Shiressa Wetering led the way for the Bravettes with 11 points and 6 rebounds in the defeat.
Alesch felt the energy on defense was the difference maker for the Golden Bears.
The Golden Bears wrapped up the afternoon shooting 44.4% from the field, making 8/22 three point shots, and knocking down 14/17 from the foul line. Montezuma was held to 29.3% on field goals, 1/15 on 3s, and 6/7 at the free throw stripe.
Eastman saw the focus on the defensive end during practice translate in the game.
Bishop Garrigan amassed a substantial advantage on the glass, outrebounding Montezuma 38-22, including 12-3 in offensive rebounds. The Golden Bears also held a 19-12 turnover advantage, parlaying that into a 26-7 edge in points off of turnovers.
Eastman and the Golden Bears knew if they could limit second chances for Montezuma while generating additional opportunities of their own, it would provide a big edge.
Schwab took a page out of the book of class 2A state qualifier Hinton when setting up the Golden Bears’ trapping press against Montezuma.
Montezuma ends the season 19-6, bowing out in the state quarterfinal round for the second consecutive season, ending their bid for the program’s first state title since 1970. The Golden Bears improve to 23-3 with the victory, and will take on the top-seeded St. Albert Saintes (23-1) on Friday at 1:30 in the class 1A state semifinals. St. Albert dispatched 8th seeded Dunkerton 42-31 in their quarterfinal game Wednesday afternoon. The Saintes are the same team who ended Bishop Garrigan’s bid for a three-peat with a 53-42 win in last year’s quarterfinal round.
Alesch is happy to see one step completed, but isn’t satisfied with just one win at the state tournament.
Friday’s game can be heard live on KLGA 92.7 FM and KLGZ 98.5 FM/AM 1600, with pregame coverage getting started at 1:05.
