(Elk Horn) Exira-EHK outscored Coon Rapids-Bayard 23-9 in the fourth quarter, leading to a 63-47 win in a girl’s Regional semi-final Friday night at Elk Horn.
The Spartans started with a 12-3 run in the first quarter, led by Quinn Grubbs’ 10-first quarter points. The senior guard finished with 21 points on the night, three points above her 18-point average. The Crusaders rallied on the back of six-foot post player Breely Clayburg who hammered in six points, helped the visitors close the gap to 15-12 at the end of the first quarter, and it was “game on” at least for the next two quarters.
The Crusaders continued to march on, taking their second lead in the game, 21-20, midway through the second quarter. However, the Spartans always answered, this time a 4-0 run at the end of the half and a 24-23 lead.
The third quarter brought the same intensity and the same result; close. The Spartans outscored the Crusaders 16-8 early. Brylie Andersen and Shay Burmeister splashed down two key three-point baskets, taking some of the scoring pressure off Grubbs, and built a 40-32 lead. The third quarter also brought some heart-break for Coon Rapids-Bayard when they lost their six-foot post-player Breely Clayburg, who left the game with a leg injury. Clayburg never returned to the floor. Despite the loss of Clayburg, C-R-B forged ahead, ending the frame on a 4-0 run, and stayed in the game trailing 40-36 at the end of three quarters.
Except for one brief moment, the Spartans dominated the fourth quarter. Aubrey Hofbauer drilled a three-point basket, vaulting C-R-B to a 41-40 lead; however, Exira-EHK stepped on the throttle, leaving the Crusaders in their rearview mirror the rest of the fourth quarter. The home team countered with a 10-0 run, leading 60-45 at one point in the final frame before the game settled out 63-47. Jaelynn Petersen sparked the Spartans offensively with nine points in the final frame; Shay Burmeister added six more, Grubbs popped in four, and Harlee Fahn and MaKenzie Riley two each.
Besides Grubbs, 21, Shay Burmeister scored 15 points; Jaelynn Petersen, nine; Harlee Fahn, 7; Makenzie Riley, 6; and Brylie Andersen, 5. Breely Clayburg led Coon Rapids-Bayard with 16 points, Malia Clayburg, 13, Lydia Hofbauer, 6, Aubrey Hofbauer and Ella Heithoff five each, and Anna Hart chipped in 2.
Exira-EHK advances to the Regional Final and plays Remson, St. Mary’s on Wednesday, February 22, at Mapleton. Bennett Blake will have the broadcast on 96.5 F.M., KSOM.
