Shateah Wetering’s layup with 1.9 seconds remaining lifted Montezuma to a 50-48 victory over Pella Christian in the class 2-A girls basketball regional semifinal heard live last night on 92.1 KRLS.

The Eagles raced out a 13-2 lead to start the game, but Montezuma clawed back to take a 22-17 lead at halftime.

The Bravettes stretched that lead to 10 in the third quarter, and still led 42-33 with under four minutes to play. Pella Christian then outscored Montezuma 15-6, tying the game at 48 on an old fashioned three-point play by Cailey Terpstra.

Montezuma got Wetering free for the game-winner under the bucket, and Pella Christian’s ensuing pass to half court was intercepted as the buzzer sounded.

Kevin Van Maanen was understandably disappointed as his sixth-ranked Eagles fell short of their goal of a trip to the state tournament.

“I just feel bad for the kids because they worked so hard for this position, and then they came up just short. I wish maybe I could have done something different in the game that would have helped us win because I wanted this team to win so bad. They worked so hard for this moment. But Montezuma really came in and battled hard tonight. They played well and they made big shots and they deserved to win tonight.”

Despite only playing about half of the game because of foul trouble, Mary Kate Bandstra led Pella Christian with 11 points. Kaley Wilson and Cailey Terpstra added 10 points each.

The Eagles finish the season at 14-9.

Montezuma, who is coached by Pella Christian alum Cory Nikkel and assisted by former Eagle head coach Verlan Nikkel, is now 17-6, and will play Cascade Monday night in Marengo with a trip to the state tournament on the line.