The No. 14 Montezuma Braves captured the class 1A district 11 championship Thursday at Mid-Prairie High School in Wellman with a 56-45 win over Keota.

The start was shaky for both sides with the two teams combining for 12 first quarter turnovers but the Braves overcame the slow start with hot outside shooting. Monte held a 12-9 lead after one quarter and a 35-22 lead at the half on five first half three’s from Dakota Strong, despite seven first half points from Keota’s Zach Mousel.

In the second half, things stayed even in the third quarter with each team posting a dozen points. In the fourth, the Eagles cut the Braves 16 point lead down to eight at 50-42 but would get no closer as more turnovers and the suffocating Montezuma 2-3 zone stopped the Keota run. The Eagles ended the night with 23 giveaways.

The Eagles were led on the night by 14 points from Zach Mousel. Avery Conrad had a double double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. With the loss Keota ends their season at 17-7. The Eagles graduate . Montezuma improves to 22-2 and advances to Saturday’s substate final in Knoxville where they will face 22-1 No. 9 Grand View Christian who upset No. 3 Colo-Nesco 58-54 Thursday night in the district 12 championship game.