Girls’ basketball, Rivalry Saturday 2023: Monticello 45, Maquoketa Valley 38

CEDAR RAPIDS — Donnie Kremer calls Jayden Kuper a “do-it-all” player.

The stat sheet agrees.

A versatile junior, Kuper scored 10 of her game-high 24 points in the fourth quarter, and Class 3A ninth-ranked Monticello fought past Maquoketa Valley, 45-38, in a Rivalry Saturday girls’ basketball encounter at Johnson Hall.

Kuper also posted 12 rebounds, three assists and seven steals as the Panthers improved to 2-0.

“I’ve gotten better at reading (opponents’) eyes,” Kuper said. “When I was a freshman, I never had many steals.”

Monticello trailed 24-18 midway through the third quarter before marching back. Madilynn Kromminga hit three midrange shots in an 11-1 run that flipped it.

“We missed her last year with back issues, and I’m glad she is back,” Kremer said. “She gives us a lot more depth.”

The Panthers led 29-25 heading into the fourth quarter, maintained a slim lead through most of it, then pulled away at the end.

Kennedy Hermsen added 12 points for the Panthers, all from long range.

Hermsen hit two early 3-pointers to help stake Monticello to a quick 10-2 lead, but Maquoketa Valley (1-1) scored the last nine points of the first quarter.

Haley Ronnebaum led Maquoketa Valley with 11 points. Bianka Ronnebaum and Grace Richter added eight apiece.

The Wildcats committed 24 turnovers.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com