The Keota boys’ basketball team gave Montezuma all they could handle in the class 1A district semifinal round on Wednesday but fell short losing 49-34.

The Eagles threw the first punch, jumping out to an early 10-1 lead five minutes into the game and led 13-9 after one. It was back and forth in the second when the Braves hit a buzzer beater three to take a slight 25-24 lead into the break. The Eagles continued to stick around with solid defense in the third trailing 31-29 heading into the final frame. The fourth quarter was the story of the game when Montezuma outscored the Eagles 18-5 to manage the 15-point win. The Braves had two players in double figures led by Cole Watts with 14 points.

The Eagles conclude the season at 15-7 and Montezuma will play Lynnville-Sully tonight for the district championship. Keota says goodbye to a loaded senior class in Cole Brenneman, Turner Klein, Logan Sieren, Marty Baker, Hunter Wilson, Luke Greiner, Jack Eakins, Riley Conrad, and Dakota Slaughter.