The #7 (2A) Grundy Center girls basketball team fell 47-36 to #8 (2A) Regina Catholic in Wednesday’s 2A Region 8 Final at Benton, as aired on 99 The Wave.
Both teams shot ice cold throughout the first half. The Regals led 9-6 after the first quarter, then 16-12 at halftime. The Spartans tried working the ball inside, but found little success scoring in the paint against the physicality of Regina’s defense. Grundy Center fought back to tie the game at 18 early in the second half, but the Regals seemingly had an answer for every scoring rally. Kali Aldrich and Karlee Lynch hit consecutive three-pointers in the fourth quarter to get the Spartans back within five points, but Regina answered back and sealed the game at the free throw line.
“Coming in, we knew their length could pose some problems,” Head Coach Matt Lindeman says. “I thought the first half we didn’t get good enough movement, getting some screens set and being able to get some actions off of that faster, just quicker. That limited us, a little bit too many turnovers in the first half. We had some unforced turnovers that obviously didn’t allow us to get some shots that needed, but held them to 16 in a half, which was really good, felt good about where we were at overall. Still, they’re averaging 58 points a game. We held them to 47. We just needed a little bit more. We got a little momentum in the second half at different times. They were always able to answer it, but we played a little bit faster pace at different different times and we were able to inch a little bit closer anyway.”
Aldrich led with 19 points and Ava Mundt scored eight.
Their season has ended at 21-3.
