OABCIG Overcame Royals’ Lead

by Mari Radtke
MMCRU Royals at Ida Grove on Monday January 19 took an early lead. The Royals outscored their hosts 20-11 in the first period of play. The Falcons clawed back 2 of those points by halftime. The score at break was 29-22 in favor of the Royals. The Falcons made steady scoring during the third period while the Royals showed long dry stretches during the same time. The Falcons took a small lead by the end of the third buzzer outscoring the Royals during that period 17-6. The score going into the final period of play sat at 35-39 Falcons. The Falcons and the Royals kept a scoring spread even through the first half of the 4th quarter. The Falcons held the Royals scoreless in the final minutes of the game, gaining 4 more points on their guests. The final was 51-43.
OABCIG’s junior Irelyn Wittrock topped the leader board with 13 points. Junior Jenessa kolar followed with 12 ad junior Brady Youngren scored 8. Kolar showed strong defense pulling down 10 boards with 3 for a second chance. She blocked 4 and stole 1. Wittrock pulled down 6 from under the glass with 2 offensive and 4 steals. Junior Lia Hansen tood down 3 and stole 2.
No Royals stats are available at press time.

Heartbreaker at Home for Royals

by Mari Radtke
The Royals took an early lead Tuesday at home against the George-Little Rock Mustangs, 16-12. G-LR spent the 2nd quarter closing the gap and taking at 24-22 lead to the locker room. A very low scoring 3rd quarter favored the visiting team. Going into the final period of play the score sat at 30 – 26 Mustangs. The Royals showed determination in another low scoring period, outscoring their guests, but not enough. The game final was 34-36 Mustangs.
Game stats are not available at press time.

Adrenaline on the Road

by Mari Radtke
The Falcons of Odebolt-Arthur Battle Creek Ida Grove (OABCIG) hosted the MMCRU Royals on Monday January 19. The 8-5 Falcons put up a strong show Monday against the 13-0 Royals. Win or lose this game was loaded with excitement throughout.
The opening period was a back and forth scoring effort ending with a host Falcons’ 1-point advantage. The second quarter started with low scoring and back and forth leads. By halftime the Royals were in a clear leading position going to the locker room with a 37-30 lead. OABCIG made steady gains during the third quarter while showing some tough defense. A tied score carried through some time during the 3rd before the Royals returned to their scoring ways while holding their competitors to no score. By the opening of the final period of play the Royals had taken a 48-44 point lead. Steady scoring by both teams throughout the 4th kept it close. The Falcons made gains midway through and in the final couple minutes took the lead. In the final seconds of ht egame the Royals were able to close the deficit and get a basket above the their host at the buzzer. The Royals preserved their undefeated status with a 64-62 hard-fought win.

George-Little Rock Falls at Marcus

by Mari Radtke
Quarter scores are not available for the G-LR vs MMCRU at Marcus on Tuesday evening, January 20. Game final was 56-29 Royals.
G-LR’s junior Cash Sandbulte scored 12 points leading the Mustangs. Junior Kyle DeLeeuw scored 8 and senior Gavin Bruns added 3 from 1 of 2 outside attempts. Sophomore Patrick DenHartog was the Mustangs’ leader under the boards. He grabbed 6 rebounds with 4 offensive grabs. Junior Austin Landis pulled 4 boards and junior Wyatt Minter pulled 3 including 1 offensive. He also took a steal.
The Royals’ senior Wyatt Alesch scored 12 points with senior Michael Schmillen scored 10 and junior Josh Peterson also added 10. Peterson under the glass took down 5 missed shots with 3 offensive. He blocked 1 and stole 4. Senior Max Schnepf and Schmillen both grabbed 3 boards. Schmillen also grabbed a steal.