By Michael Rupp
The 2021-2022 basketball season kicked off last week Friday for the MMCRU Royals. Last season the Lady Royals went 21-3 and made an appearance at Wells Fargo in the State Tournament, but lost the first round to Exira-EHK.
The Royals picked things up right where they left off last season. The first game of the season was a road trip to Gehlen Catholic. The Royals starting 5 consisted of Senior Taylor Harpenau, Senior Emily Dreckman, Junior Kora Alesch, Senior Mya Holmes, and Senior Ellie Hilbrands.
The Royals shot the ball very well to start out the game, but the defense was even more impressive, allowing only 6 points, and winning the first quarter 23-6. Hilbrands would put up 7 points in the first, and Alesch and Dreckman both hit shots from three-point range. By halftime the Royals led 37-16.
Both teams got into a scoring rhythm in the 3rd quarter, but the Royals held their strong lead, ending the 3rd 62-30. The Royals starters were pulled late in the 4th and the Royals went home with the victory 75-42.
On Tuesday the Royals played their home opener in Marcus against Harris-Lake Park and won 54-23. The Royals Varsity would only allow 13 total points before putting the non-starters in for the 4th quarter. Senior Emily Dreckman put up 20 points and shot 83.3% on the night, and Junior Kora Alesch got 5 assists along with 5 rebounds.
The Royals start out 2-0 going into conference play.