Senior Ellie Hilbrands

Head Coach Gillian Letsche

MMCRU Team

Senior Mya Holmes Shoots Over Bishop Garrigan Junior Audi Crooks

by Michael Rupp

After taking down the #5 seed Exira-EHK, the Royals had to face off with Newell-Fonda, the three time reigning 1A champion. The Mustangs were 24-1 on the season, with their only loss coming to Estherville Lincoln Central, the class 3A champion.
The game started out with the Royals trying to slow down the Mustangs fast pace style of play. Newell-Fonda has been able to outrun most of the teams that they face, so the Royals wanted to avoid a track meet of a game. The Mustangs kept a full court press on the Royals from the opening tip, but Dreckman, Alesch, and Harpenau were able to break the press with extreme success. MMCRU scored first with a jump shot from the free throw line by Taylor Harpenau. Newell-Fonda went back and forth with the Royals in the first quarter. Sophomore Kierra Jungers hit a three early to take a 1-point lead over the Royals. Later in the first Senior Ellie Hilbrands hit a big three to take back the lead 13-10. After an exciting first period the Royals and Mustangs were all tied up at 18.
Early in the second quarter the Royals used their size advantage to get a lot of second chance points. Senior Mya Holmes pulled down a rebound after a missed free-throw by Senior Taylor Harpenau. Holmes went right back up with the shot and got fouled, giving her a chance at the line. Holmes would miss her free-throw, but Senior Emily Dreckman pulled down that rebound! The game turned into a size vs. speed game. Newell-Fonda continued to try to push the pace, but MMCRU got back and played some tremendous defense. At halftime the Royals were down by only 3 points to the number one seed Mustangs, 33-36.
Harpenau tied the game back up at 36 right away with a quick corner 3 on the assist from Dreckman. Soon after Harpenau got to the free throw line and added another point to her impressive night. Newell-Fonda Freshman Kinzee Hinders responded with a three from the top of the key. Back and forth the 2 teams went all the way to the fourth quarter.
The Royals got out to an 8-point lead in the 4th that really carried them through the rest of the game. Newell would bring it back to within 4 points, but MMCRU pulled off the upset 66-62.
The Royals moved on to play Bishop Garrigan in the championship game, but could not pull off the miracle season, losing to the number 2 seed team led by 5-star recruit Audi Crooks. MMCRU played with the Golden Bears, but struggled to get the ball in the paint. The season came to a close with a 52-49 loss.