The Exira-EHK Spartans girls basketball team will get to step on the State Tournament stage on Wednesday afternoon. The Spartans (23-0) will square off against the MMCRU Royals (21-2) in a Class 1A Quarterfinal game that is set for a 4:00 p.m. tipoff. We’ll have coverage on KJAN starting with pregame at 3:00 p.m.

The Spartans are coming off a thrilling Regional Final win over Lenox in which the Spartans built a 20 point halftime lead, gave it all way, and then finished strong in the fourth to advance 66-56. The Royals also prevailed by ten in their Regional Final win over Westwood 53-43.

The Spartans have been led by three players averaging double figures in scoring. Macy Emgarten with 18, Quinn Grubbs with 16.2, and Mollie Rasmussen with 13.7. The Spartans are averaging 65 points per game as a team. Spartans Head Coach Tom Petersen has been proud of the growth the team has shown through a tough year.

Coach Petersen also said the girls have done a great job adjusting their roles after senior Tatum Grubbs suffered an injury.

The Royals have four players that average double figures: Emily Dreckman with 15, Ellie Hilbrands with 12, and Jaylen Bork with 11. The Royals are averaging 66 points per game as a squad. Coach Petersen said the outside shooting of the Royals is a concern and he knows they will have to slow down Hilbrands inside.

We’ll have coverage of the Quarterfinal match-up today on KJAN. Pregame starts at 3:00 p.m. with tip-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Chris Parks and Joe Wollum will have the call from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.