(Elk Horn) Exira-EHK heads to the girls state basketball tournament for the 5th time since 2015. The undefeated and 4th ranked Spartans will get together with 21-2 and 5th rated MMCRU.
The Royals have four players averaging in double figures scoring led by Emily Dreckman’s 15.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. The junior shoots 49.5% from the field and 35% from 3-point range. Spartan coach Tom Petersen says the Royals can put five capable scorers on the floor. “They are very balanced. Their offensive efficiency is what I’ve been impressed with the most. You look at their numbers and how they shoot from the outside. What they have inside, it looks like three six footers with one being a big time force inside.”
Coach Petersen describes chemistry as a big strength for his team and it’s something that got even better following an injury to four year starter Tatum Grubbs. “It’s a difficult thing to get through.” Petersen says, “They’ve really come together. The chemistry with our girls, knowing where each other are going to be offensively and defensively, it’s probably one of the best I’ve ever had.”
Exira-EHK will give up some size to MMCRU, but they hope to offset that with their quickness. “We do have to try and get out and run as much as we can. When those opportunities provide themselves I want our girls to do that. It’s something we’ve emphasized in practice and something we have to take advantage of.”
The Spartans have Macy Emgarten averaging 18 points per game, Quinn Grubbs at 16.2 and Mollie Rasmussen 13.7.
