JEFF B | Iowa Prep Illustrated, Iowa Grandstand Sports

MARCUS — A 22-point quarterfinal round win over SOuth Central Calhoun in Class 2A tournament play on Tuesday elevated the MMCRU record to 13-9.

The one is only one win shy (14) the last time the Royals earned double-digit victories in a season — 2022-2023. It also marks back-to-back season the Royals have won their opening round of tournament play.

“It feels great of course. We live to play another game, which is awesome. You’ve got to love this time of year. I feel like we came out with a roar and that’s what I wanted these girls to have. With everything that SCC brought to us, we were able to capitalize on. “I feel like our defense was huge tonight with our long arms and getting steals. You have to capitalize and we did. We did offensively and defensively.”
— Gillian Letsche, MMCRU head girls basketball coach

The determined Royals defense forced 35 South Central Calhoun turnovers, and lkimited the Titans to only 28 percent shooting from the floor. MMCRU also took control of the boards, outrebounding South Central Calhoun 34-23.

Macie Dorman and Sadie Wheelock finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively for South Central Calhoun which ends its season with an 8-14 overall record.

A single-digit lead of 17-11 at the end of the first quarter grew to 30-18 at halftime in favor of the Royals. At the conclusion of the third quarter, MMCRU led by 20-points (45-25).

The season long one-two offensive puch continued its trend. Tia Tentinger finished with a game-high 20 points for the Royals. Chloe Alesch chipped in with 12 points and finished with a game-high 10 rebounds.

Up Next

MMCRU advances to face West Lyon (15-7) in the regional final at Inwood.

South Central Calhoun Record: 8-14 | MMCRU Royals Record: 13-9

MMCRU
Starters: Gracie Schroeder 7, Tia Tentinger 20, Sadie Youde 6, Leah Florine 2, Chloe Alesch 12. Bench: Ella Drsaper 2, Kaleigha Dreckman 0, Riley Groves 0, Brielle Lux 0, Hailee Staab 2, Samantha Peterson 7, Tori Treinen 0, Aleah Lux 0.
Team Totals: 23-57 (40.4) 3-13 (21.4) 9-17 (52.9)

Rebounds (34) Alesch 10, Schroeder 8, Tentinger 5, Peterson 4, Youde 2, Staab 2, Draper 1, Groves 1, A. Lux 1.
Assists (12) Tentinger 3, Peterson 3, Youde 2, Groves 1, Draper 1, Florine 1, Alesch 1.
Steals (16) Tentinger 4, Schroeder 4, Florine 3, Youde 2, B. Lux 1, Peterson 1, Alesch 1.
Blocks (1) Peterson 1.