Benton Community claims its third consecutive girls’ state basketball berth

VAN HORNE — There’s nothing mythical or lethal about The Benton Triangle.

But, in this case, it was where an opposing state-tournament dream disappeared.

Benton Community’s triangle-and-two defensive scheme held Monticello’s top two players well below their season scoring averages, and the eighth-ranked Bobcats were able to grind out a 42-35 Class 3A girls’ basketball regional-final victory Saturday night at Benton Community High School.

“We had Aubrey (Kelly) and Piper (Nelson) chasing them around, and they did a great job,” Benton’s Emma Townsley said. “We had to recognize their other players, too. And we had to rebound.”

Benton (18-6) won its seventh consecutive game, and earned its third consecutive state berth.

The 3A runners-up in 2023, the Bobcats face No. 2 Des Moines Christian (23-1) in a state quarterfinal at 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26 at Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines.

“It’s always a goal, and it’s been a goal from the beginning of the season,” Townsley said.

Nelson added, “I know a lot of people doubted us because we lost (2023 Gazette player of the year) Jenna (Twedt, to graduation), and that was a big setback. We had a lot of close games this season, and it paid off tonight.”

Benton never trailed, led by as many as 13 early in the third quarter, then held on after Monticello (20-4) got within 39-35 with 1:10 left.

Credit the triangle.

The Panthers have a formidable duo in Jayden Kuper (who entered the game with an 18.6-point average) and Kennedy Hermsen (13.0).

Saturday, they were held to 11 and two, respectively.

“Those two are really good ball players,” Benton Coach Jeff Zittergruen said. “I thought the triangle was our best bet.

“I’m so proud of our seniors. They stuck with it all year. I told them going into the postseason, don’t take this for granted. It’s special.”

Townsley, who will play next year at Wartburg College, accumulated 18 points, 10 rebounds and four steals. Nelson added 12 points, on 6-of-8 shooting.

“I rely on my teammates, and I knew they trusted me when I got down low,” said Nelson, who also drew the defensive assignment on Kuper while Kelly shadowed Hermsen.

The Bobcats held Monticello to 13-of-51 shooting (25.5 percent), including 1-of-12 in the first quarter as they built a 10-2 lead.

“We missed shots, including some easy layups,” Panthers Coach Donnie Kremer said. “We had opportunities, but we didn’t convert. That’s the difference between winning and losing.

“Benton is a veteran team, and they showed it.”

The Bobcats’ lead was 20-14 at halftime, 34-22 after three quarters.

Townsley’s drive made it 38-25, then the Bobcats overcame some missed free throws (they made 4 of 10 in the final 2:26) to hold on.

Kuper’s back-door basket brought the Panthers within 39-35 at the 1:10 mark, but they didn’t score again.

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Benton Community 42, Monticello 35

Class 3A Regional Final, at Van Horne

MONTICELLO (35): Sami McElmeel 2-6 0-0 4, Kennedy Hermsen 1-7 0-0 2, Keziah McQuillen 2-8 1-2 6, Jayden Kuper 4-12 2-2 11, Madilynn Kromminga 0-6 2-2 2, Hailey Henderson 3-7 0-0 7, Halle Recker 1-5 0-0 3. Totals 13-51 5-6 35.

BENTON COMMUNITY (42): Emma Townsley 7-13 3-4 18, Piper Nelson 6-8 0-2 12, McKenna Kramer 3-11 0-2 9, Aubrey Kelly 1-4 1-2 3, Zoey Junge 0-0 0-0 0, Avery Kramer 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 17-36 4-10 42.

Monticello 2 12 8 13 — 35

Benton Community 10 10 14 8 — 42

3-point goals: Monticello 4-19 (McElmeel 0-2, Hermsen 0-2, McQuillen 1-4, Kuper 1-4, Henderson 1-3, Recker 1-4), Benton 4-16 (Townsley 1-4, M. Kramer 3-11, Kelly 0-1). Team fouls: Monticello 12, Benton 8. Fouled out: none. Rebounds: Monticello 30 (Kuper, Henderson 6), Benton 29 (Townsley 10). Assists: Monticello 10 (McQuillen 3), Benton 8 (M. Kramer 3). Steals: Monticello 7 (Hermsen 3), Benton 5 (Townsley 4). Turnovers: Monticello 9, Benton 14.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com