JEFF B | Iowa Prep Illustrated / Iowa Grandstand Sports

MARCUS — MMCRU girls basketball team put an end to a two game losing streak to Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn on Friday, as well end a two game losing streak to begin the 2025-2026 season. The Royals defeated the Hawks by a margin of 27 points, 71-44.

The Royals took a four point (13-9) lead after one quarter, and expanded its lead to 35-19 at halftime. The MMCRU lead grew to 29 points (63-34) with its most productive quarter scoring on the season with 28 points in the third frame.

A breakout game by MMCRU junior guard Tia Tentinger has been anxiously expected and she didn’t disappoint in this one. Tentinger made 10-of-18 shots, including sinking five 3-point shots and 1-of-2 at the foul line for 26 points.

Tentinger isn’t the only one who rediscovered their shot against Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn as Chloe Alesch finished with 16 points making 6-of-11 field goal attempts overall and 4-of-6 four shooting. Lana Florine added 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor overall. Alesch led the Royals efforts on the glass with 11 rebounds.

As a team, MMCRU shot 46 percent (29-of-63), including 5-of-15 (33.3%) 3-point shots. A total of 14 players saw action for the Royals.

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn struggled taking care of the basketball committing 32 turnovers.

Lindsey Van Es led the Hawks in scoring with 14 points. Teammate Moriah Otto was a force on the boards with a game-high 14 rebounds to go with 13 points.

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn’s record falls to 0-4.

Up Text

MMCRU (1-2) travels to Paullina tonight to face War Eagle Conference rival South O’Brien (1-1). The Royals will be looking to end a four game losing streak to South O’Brien.

Teams	1	2	3	4	Final
HMS	9	10 (19)	15 (34)	10	44
MMCRU	13	22 (35)	28 (63)	8	71

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Record: 0-4 | MMCRU Record: 1-2

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Leading Scorer (s): Lindsey Van Es 14, Moriah Otto 13.

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Leading Rebounder (s):  Otto 14.

Largest Lead: NA
Rebound Margin: MMCRU minus -6 (33-27)

MMCRU Scoring: Lana Florine 10, Tia Tentinger 26, Chloe Alesch 16, Gracie Schroeder 4, Sadie Youde 4, Riley Groves 2, Kaleigha Dreckman 1, Hailey Staab 0, Alissa Rupp 2, Brielle Lux 6, Ella Draper 0, Tori Treinen 0, Aleah Lux 0, Aubrey Dirks 0.

MMCRU Statistics
Field Goals Overall: 29-63 (46.0)
3-Pt. Field Goals: 5-15 (33.3)
Free Throws: 8-16 (50.0)
Assists (17): Tentinger 6, Schroeder 3, Youde 2, Staab 2, Florine 2, Treinen 1, B. Lux 1.
Steals (20): Tentinger 6, Youde 6, Florine 3, Alesch 1, Groves 1, Staab 1, Dreckman 1, Schroeder 1.
Rebounds (27): Alesch 11, Schroeder 4, Tentinger 2, Groves 2, Florine 2, B. Lux 2, Rupp 2, A. Lux 1, Youde 1.
Blocked Shots (1): Alesch 1.

HMS & MMCRU boys basketball

A highly regarded MMCRU offense scored 81 points on Friday, picking up an 81-47 win over Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn. The Royals offense has averaged 75 points per game in wins over Harris-Lake Park, and now Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn.

The win is the fifth consecutive win against the guest Hawks and seven of last nine dating back to January 2022.

The MMCRU offense scored 80 or more points four times last season. Arguably this team has the ability to shatter that mark this season. Currently the Royals ranked fifth in Class 1A for most productive offense/points.

“I’m very pleased. We looked like a well-oiled machine tonight compared to Tuesday night. These guys are coming along and getting their legs back and that looked like a complete team tonight.”

Cam Kuchel, MMCRU head boys basketball coach

MMCRU began the game on an 11-0 run and finished the opening quarter leading 19-4. MMCRU never relinquished a lead in the victory. At one point, MMCRU held a lead of 33-6 midway through the second quarter.

MMCRU was able to continue to pull away in the second half, reaching the 35-point ‘mercy-rule’ margin to start the running clock with 4:15 left in the fourth quarter.

Five players, including four starters scored in double figures — Kamden Bork (15), Wyatt Alesch (15), Michael Schmillen (14), Eli Schlenger 12, and Max Schnepf scored 11 points off the Royals bench.

MMCRU shot a sparkling 59.7 percent (37-of-62) from the floor, including three treys made. MMCRU only got to the foul line eight times and made four.

Its so much harder for teams to plan for us. A lot of guys stepped up whether they started or came off the bench, a lot of guys came in and did some nice things for us in the press as well as offensively.”

Cam Kuchel, MMCRU head boys basketball coach

The loss for Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn (2-1) is its first this season, having already logging wins against Trinity Christian and Woodbury Central.

Junior Kolby Douma led Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn offensively with 14 points. Senior Isaac Schierholz chipped in with 11 points.

“A lot of respect to that team, they’ve been building. They’ve got three really nice players. Schierholz, Douma, and Lawton Schiphoff are really nice pieces. Our boys made them work for everything they got.”

Cam Kuchel, MMCRU head boys basketball coach

The Hawks finished shooting 32.7 percent overall and converted 7-of-11 foul shots. Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn’s ‘kryptonite’ was 25 turnovers.

Up Next

Tonight its a War Eagle Conference road game for the Royals as they have a matchup with the rival Wolverines of South O’Brien (2-0).

Teams	1	2	3	4	Final
HMS	4	15 (19)	16 (35)	12	47
MMCRU	19	23 (42)	20 (62)	19	81

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Record: 2-1 | MMCRU Record: 2-0

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Leading Scorer (s): Kolby Douma 12, Isaac Schierholz 11.

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Leading Rebounder (s): Alex Billings 6, Schierholz 5.

Largest Lead: NA
Rebound Margin: MMCRU plus +4 (27-23)

MMCRU Scoring: Michael Schmillen 14, Kamden Bork 15, Josh Peterson 7, Eli Schlenger 12, Wyatt Alesch 15, Brandon Dreckman 3, Max Schnepf 11, John Schmillen 0, Eli Harpenau 4, Gavin Poeckes 0, Mason Hill 0.

MMCRU Statistics
Field Goals Overall: 37-62 (59.7)
3-Pt. Field Goals: 3-10 (30.0)
Free Throws: 4-8 (50.0))
Assists (28): Alesch 8, Bork 6, M. Schmillen 5, J. Schmillen 3, Schnepf 2, Schlenger 2, Dreckman 1, Hill 1.
Steals (19): Tentinger 6, Youde 6, Florine 3, Alesch 1, Groves 1, Staab 1, Dreckman 1, Schroeder 1.Bork 8, Alesch 5, M. Schmillen 4, Schnepf 2.
Rebounds (27): Peterson 6, Schlenger 6, Bork 4, Harpenau 4, Schnepf 4, M. Schmillen 1, Alesch 1, J. Schmillen 1.
Blocked Shots (1): Peterson 1.