The Exira-EHK-Audubon girls basketball team punched their ticket to the state tournament Wednesday night with a 57-38 win over the GTRA Titans. Physicality and defense were the story of the night. In a raucous atmosphere both teams locked down the other early. The first quarter saw just 15 points scored between the two. However, halfway through the second, Exira-EHK-Audubon broke through. Outscoring GTRA 11-2 in the back half of the second quarter, it was the run they needed to take control of the game. Exira-EHK-Audubon kept GTRA at arm’s length for much of the rest of the game. Although the Titans made a bid to get back in the game late, the combination of foul trouble and Exira-EHK-Audubon’s depth and physicality had taken its toll. For Exira-EHK-Audubon, they’ll make their first appearance at the state tournament since 2022 and it’s the seventh time a team associated with Exira-EHK has made the state tournament since 2015.

Although somewhat expected for a region final, it can’t go without being said that the atmosphere in Carroll was electric. The stands were packed by the time starting lineups were announced, and the students showed up in force and were loud. However, the offensives did not. Both teams combined for just 15 points in the opening quarter. However, this was in large part due to the physicality and tenacity of the defense. A trait that would last throughout the rest of the night. They both forced turnovers, made it difficult for each other to find success on the inside and rebounded well. Despite having a size disadvantage, GTRA rebounded quite well, but it did not translate to anything offensively.

Exira-EHK-Audubon was clinging to a 1-point lead heading into the second but the first half of the quarter looked a like the first, except Exira-EHK-Audubon completely shut down the Titans in the period. While in the first, Exira-EHK Audubon’s defense was strong, it was smothering in the second. They allowed just four points the entire quarter, which opened the door for to Exira-EHK-Audubon offense to break through. From the halfway point of the second quarter the game belonged to Exira-EHK-Audubon. They outscored GTRA 11-2 over that time frame and it was in large part due to their secondary scoring. Harlow Miller, who played a big factor in the game on the inside picked up four points in the second. Meanwhile Zoey Rasmussen came off the bench and hit two big threes.  This run at the end of the second quarter turned out to be one of the defining moments of the game. Establishing that cushion, allowed them to survive any push that the Titans would muster later in the game.

Although Exira-EHK-Audubon wasn’t as dominant in the second half as they were in the second half, they didn’t need to be. Considering you’d expect nothing less than a strong push from a very good GTRA team with their season on the line, Exira-EHK-Audubon did everything they needed to do. They continued to defend well, and most importantly, found ways to respond every time the Titans started to pick up a little bit of steam. Taryn Petersen added 14 points in the second half, many of which came from the foul-line. This exemplified Exira-EHK-Audubon’s physicality, which led to problems for GTRA. Already with a short bench, foul trouble became an issue for the Titans. Late in the game four Titans had four fouls, putting them at risk to lose one of their key players. However, in the final two minutes, something clicked. GTRA finally found the three ball and with 1:19 had clawed their back to within nine. However, a foul on a rebound would all but end GTRA’s slim chances at comeback when the bench picked up a technical on the same. In addition to allowing Exira-EHK-Audubon a chance to reextend their lead to double-digits but also gave them ball. After this point, all that was left was to watch the clock tick down.

Yet again, Exira-EHK-Audubon proved why they belong at the state tournament. Their speed and talent, particularly on defense serves them well, while their offense does everything they need it to do. Winners of 22 straight, they won’t make life easy for any opponent they see in Des Moines.

Physicality was a massive part of the game right from the start.

That was Taryn Petersen who led Exira-EHK-Audubon in scoring with 21 points. However, it was the defense that was the biggest factor according to Harlow Miller.

Making the state tournament is nothing new for this program. However, it will be new for everyone on the team. However, Taryn Petersen thinks the chemistry that this group has separates them from others.

The state tournament will be nothing new for head coach Tom Petersen, and he is looking to cherish the moment.

Exira-EHK-Audubon will enter the tournament as the sixth seed. They will open Wednesday night at 6:45 pm against the third seeded St. Albert Saintes who are 21-3 and defeated Coon Rapids-Bayard in the region 3 final 68-48. You can catch all the action on KJAN.