It had been quite some time since Marcus and Remsen basketball teams had been to State to play. Remsen-Union’s trip to State was in 1981. Marcus made the State tournament in 1986. But, now we are 2021 and Marcus and Remsen, now known as MMCRU, worked their way up to go to State to play.
There was a send-off for the MMCRU girls on Tuesday, March 2. What a send-off there was! There certainly wasn’t much room left in the gym by the time 2:15 came. In the middle of the gym floor was a circle with a bag for each girl that was filled with goodies. There was also a place with bags for the cheerleaders.
The Remsen school had brought over the kids from there. There were Remsen residents as well as those from the Marcus, Meriden, and Cleghorn areas that filled up the bleachers. This was an occasion that doesn’t happen every year! As the basketball team girls came in the gym, wearing “pink”, the color chosen for this State tournament, everyone stood up. There was a tremendous amount of applause blocking out the cheer leaders.
Sarah Bottijen, who helped to organize the pep rally, welcomed all of us. Then she introduced Superintendent Dan Barkel. This was a moment that most superintendents would like to be part of, but it doesn’t come that easy. Coach Gillian Letsche spoke on how proud she was of this team. The keyword the Royals (MMCRU) took with them to State was_determination. It was told to the audience that the Royals work well together and think of themselves as a family. Well, this family had done well enough to earn a place at State!
Before we left the gym, we were given a poster showing the 2021 State Basketball Team_Jaylen Bork, Molly Reuter, Emily Dreckman, Taylor Harpenau, Ellie Hilbrands, Mya Holmes, Kirsten Letsche, Makenzie Meyer, Kora Alesch, Hannah Neddermeyer, Isabelle Olson, Avery Schlenger, Torey Tentinger, Kennedy Tentinger, Mykin Youde, Andrea Penning, and Jordan Staab.
Coaches for the Royals are Gillian Letsche, Derrick Marra, and Danae Dreckman. Managers are Kristina Goth, Audra Penning, Ellie Reuter, Regan Peters, and Gunner Grage.
We cannot forget the girls that give inspiration to the Royals as well as to spectators. They are the Cheerleaders! They are Paige Gergen, Abby VanMaanen, Darley Carrillo, Autum Bonnstetter, Mariah Thomsen, and Hannah Doellinger. These girls have had to wear masks and still get their cheers out.
There was a list of the games the Royals played: Remsen St. Mary’s (98-53); GTRA (60-11), Harris-Lake Park (96-12); Unity Christian (47-58), Akron-Westfield (60-40), Trinity Christian (66-21); West Sioux (50-18), South O’Brien (66-54), Sergeant Bluff-Luton (67-57), Harris-Lake Park (76-11), Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn (73-25). Trinity Christian (55-17), Kingsley-Pierson (59-65), Akron-Westfield (43-41), George-Little Rock (50-27), Hinton (71-40), Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn (81-44), Remsen st. Mary’s (67-53), Gehlen Catholic (62-47), South O’Brien (64-25), George-Little Rock (82-37), Woodbury Central (67-32), and Westwood (53-43). The two teams that are underlined were the only two losses the Royals experienced.
Can you see how the Royals were listed as #5? On Wednesday, they would be playing #3 Exira-EHK.
Superintendent Barkel had a list of those who were making it possible for the Royals to go to State. They were grateful donors from our area communities. The second to last game the Royals played, there would be no “on-line” game for those at home to see. Thanks to a lady from California, she paid for the screen time so we could see and hear the game.
The list given to me might not include everyone as some names could have come in after this list was printed out. But you are thanked even if you were not listed.
Business places were: Smith Insurance, Farmers State Bank, Country Creations, Mrs. B’s, Perfect Petals, Marcus Chamber, Remsen Farmers Coop, Iowa State Bank, Barry’s Electric, Westel, Cherokee Regional Hospital, Jeff’s Foods, Wibe Law Firm, Schmillen Construction, American Bank, Farmers State Agency, Cherokee HyVee, Cherokee Fareway, Gengler Feed, Schorg Ag Supply, Le Mars Fareway, Mouser’s Plumbing and Digging, and Cherokee Subway.
Thanks also go to MMCRU-Marcus Elementary Staff, MMCRU Boosters, Mr. and Mrs. DD Trost, Doug and Barb Dreckman, Rick and Stacy Schroder, Nancy Hohbach, Joe and Danielle Schlenger, Chuck and Kendra Rensink, Shane and Taylor Bork, Ed and Kate Schlenger, Rockie and Jane Bork, Dick and Sue Sievers.
Some of the aforementioned places/people were responsible for a chartered bus for the Royals to go in. There were meals as well as other expenses that occur when an occasion such as this comes about. What great communities we live in!
After loading up supplies, etc. in school vehicles, the bus was ready for the Royals. Three firetrucks led the bus and other vehicles out of town and headed east. Those on Highway 3 knew we were coming with vehicles windows declaring a win at State and horns honking. What a send-off!
It was told that tickets for MMCRU were sold out for the game against Exira EHK. What excitement there was when our girls came out on the floor! For some of the girls, this is what players only dream about. But, it was no dream_the Royals were actually going to play at State and in a big auditorium.
Exira only had 8 players. These girls played well enough to beat the Royals 60-55. Those of us that were watching at home were hoping for a victory. The Royals were down by 9 points at halftime (30-21) but they went back on the floor for 24 third-quarter points. This gave them a five-point lead. They had 8 minutes left in the game. Could they hold onto this lead?
Now it was the 4th quarter, and Exira showed the Royals the end of the road as they reversed the 5 point lead to win the game 60-55.
Exira shot 52.4% from the field and the Royals shot 37.3%. MMCRU ended a season where it finished with the fourth most points in Class IA, and also finished fourth in assists, however the loss to Exira snapped the Royal’s 10 game winning streak.
Emily Dreckman scored 20 on 7-18 shooting, along with three 3-pointers, and eight rebounds. Ellie Hilbrands scored 17 points on 8 or 13 shooting, with 9 rebounds.
Congratulations to Emily Dreckman, Taylor Harpeneau, and Ellie Hilbrands from MMCRU who were named to Class 1A Substate 7 from the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. MMCRU Coach Gillian Letsche earned Coach of the Year honors.
Exira-EHK played Bishop Garrigan on Friday and lost. Bishop Garrigan went on to play Newell-Fonda on Saturday night and lost to Newell-Fonda.
No matter what the outcome was, WE ARE PROUD OF OUR MMCRU GIRLS! There is still another time.