(Des Moines) MMCRU used a 15-0 first quarter run to gain the upper hand and rolled to a 50-39 victory over Exira-EHK in a Class 1A State Quarterfinal on Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena. The Royals avenge a 60-55 loss to the Spartans from one year ago in the opening round.
Exira-EHK’s season is over with a 23-2 record. Both losses were to teams that made the state semifinals (Class 2A #4 Panorama, Class 1A #4 MMCRU). They connected on just 4/32 from 3-point range and were outrebounded 44-21. Quinn Grubbs and Molly Rasmussen each scored 11 points while Macy Emgarten had 8 points and 8 rebounds.
MMCRU stretched the lead to 13 points in the early going before the Spartans cut it to 17-7 at the end of one. Exira-EHK’s defense held the 24-1 Royals scoreless for the first three minutes of the second quarter, but weren’t able to close the gap by very much. They were within seven twice at 17-10 and 19-12, but never established any considerable momentum in the game. The Spartans shot only 29.4% in the contest.
Exira-EHK graduates three senior starters with Macy Emgarten, Mollie Rasmussen, and Alisa Partridge. Emgarten finished her career with 1,425 points and 702 rebounds. The group went 68-5 over the past three seasons with back-to-back trips to state.
Advancing to the semifinals to face #1 Newell-Fonda is an MMCRU group that was led by Emily Dreckman’s 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Mya Holmes and Taylor Harpenau each had 9 points and 6 rebounds. Ellie Hilbrands scored 8 points and gathered in 13 rebounds.
