‘Most complete game’ sends Regina girls’ basketball past Kennedy, 79-59

CEDAR RAPIDS — This was, in the words of Iowa City Regina Coach Mary Rogers, “our most complete game, in my six years here, from the get-go.

“It had to be.”

High compliment, for a November season-opener.

Freshman Addie McLaughlin scored 26 points in her varsity debut, and Class 2A ninth-ranked Regina drummed Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 79-59, in a non-conference girls’ basketball game Tuesday night at Kennedy High School.

“I was just focused on getting the win,” McLaughlin said. “We started with good momentum and energy. We were getting transition baskets, and that kept our confidence up.”

Regina (1-0) rocketed to a 26-9 lead after a quarter, shot 57 percent from the field and led by as many as 33 points.

Yeah, that’s a complete game.

“Like Coach said, it was a great team win,” said senior Morgan Miller, who added 25 points. “We have so many offensive weapons. We’re pretty hard to guard when we share the ball.”

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The Regals started this season at the same venue in which they concluded last season; they lost a 2A regional final to Cascade in the Kennedy gym.

“The kids really wanted to start their new journey here,” Rogers said. “They were really dialed in.”

Tuesday marked the varsity debut of Kennedy freshman Bentley Dill, a name that came up repeatedly throughout the offseason. Dill posted 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists.

This night, though, belonged to McLaughlin and the Regals.

McLaughlin hit 11 of 20 shots (4 of 10 from long distance), and recorded a game-high five assists.

“She’s so natural with the ball,” Rogers said.

Miller added, “(McLaughlin) doesn’t play like a freshman. It’s nice having another point guard. It’s going to help our offense a lot.”

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Photos: Iowa City Regina at Cedar Rapids Kennedy girls’ basketball

Senior Ella McLaughlin, Addie’s older sister, tacked on 15 points for the victors.

The Regals enjoyed a 75-42 advantage midway through the fourth quarter.

Ella Moser complemented Dill’s 14-point debut with 13 of her own.

Iowa City Regina 79, Cedar Rapids Kennedy 59

At C.R. Kennedy

IOWA CITY REGINA (79): Morgan Miller 9-14 3-4 25, Caitlin Martin 2-5 2-3 6, Ella McLaughlin 6-9 0-0 15, Addie McLaughlin 11-20 0-0 26, Adalee Klein 0-1 3-4 3, Ella Keune 1-2 2-2 4, Maggie Sueppel 0-0 0-0 0, Nora Wade 0-0 0-0 0, Maddie Squiers 0-0 0-0 0, Anna Trenkamp 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-51 10-13 79.

C.R. KENNEDY (59): Isabella Senters 0-1 0-0 0, Bentley Dill 4-12 4-4 14, Ella Moser 5-9 2-3 13, Lexi Moore 4-9 0-2 8, Alaina Canney 3-6 2-4 8, Payton Thier 2-7 1-2 7, Alaysia Williams 1-3 0-0 3, Addison Stallman 0-5 1-2 1, Lola Sain 1-1 0-0 2, Abby Wedemeier 1-3 0-0 3, Abby Dolan 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-56 10-17 59.

Iowa City Regina 26 14 22 17 — 79

C.R. Kennedy 9 12 17 21 — 59

3-point goals: Regina 11-23 (Miller 4-6, Martin 0-1, E. McLaughlin 3-6, A. McLaughlin 4-10), Kennedy 7-28 (Dill 2-8, Moser 1-3, Moore 0-2, Thier 2-5, Williams 1-3, Stallman 0-4, Wedemeier 1-3). Team fouls: Regina 12, Kennedy 13. Fouled out: none. Rebounds: Regina 29 (Martin 6), Kennedy 32 (Dill, Moore, Canney 7). Assists: Regina 18 (A. McLaughlin 5), Kennedy 7 (Dill 3). Steals: Regina 13 (E. McLaughlin 4), Kennedy 8 (Senters, Williams, Dolan 2). Turnovers: Regina 9, Kennedy 14.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com