No. 4 Montezuma ends Baxter’s season in district semifinals

MONTEZUMA — Senior Will Clapper had a double-double and Cole Damman added 18 points, but Baxter’s boys’ basketball team ended its season with a 70-51 loss to Class 1A No. 4 Montezuma in the 1A District 9 semifinals.

Montezuma led 22-9 after one quarter and coasted to another win. The Braves (19-1) outscored the Bolts 48-42 in the final three quarters.

Clapper finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds in his final prep game.

Damman’s 18 points came on four made 3-pointers and a 6-for-6 night at the free-throw line. Damman also had three rebounds and two assists.

Junior Carter Nelsen chipped in six points, six rebounds and two steals.

Baxter (11-10) came into the game winners of six in a row but lost after shooting 30 percent from the floor. The Bolts were 7-of-24 from 3-point range and 12-of-16 from the foul line.

Montezuma’s Trey Shearer scored a game-high 24 points to lead four Braves in double-figures.

Cole Watts added 18 points for Montezuma.

The Braves play BGM (15-7) in the district championship game at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Grinnell.