Closely called: Muskies top Hawks

CEDAR RAPIDS -- If Saturday's season debut was any indication, girls' basketball in Iowa will be a different game this year.

Potentially, in the long run, a better game.

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has made an emphasis to get away from rugby-ball, and that's how it was called. The teams combined for 54 free throws in Muscatine's 56-46 win over host Cedar Rapids Prairie.

"It's going to be different, yeah," said Prairie Coach Steve Doser. "We've just got to adapt. The difference tonight was (Muscatine) was disciplined offensively and we were not."

A state-tournament team last year, Muscatine (1-0) got 17 points -- 15 in the second half -- and seven steals from senior guard Emily Clemens, a Western Illinois signee.

"She hung in there," said Muscatine Coach Susan Orvis. "We need for her to lead, and she did, especially in the second half."

As is the case in the collegiate game, a mandate has been set forth from the IGHSAU on how to call the game:

" ...  Enforcing illegal contact has been a point of emphasis for many years now, yet many officials refuse to enforce the guidelines and rules as written. THIS MUST CHANGE," read a portion of a memo sent by the Union on Friday.

Saturday's officials got the message. The teams were whistled for 47 fouls.

"We have to player stronger and smarter," said Prairie's Emilie Rotter.

For Prairie (0-1), which won its first MVC divisional championship last year, the high-water mark of the night came early in the second quarter, a 13-7 lead. Muscatine controlled play the rest of the way.

The Muskies led 28-25 at halftime, then opened the second half with a 11-3 run to gain spacing. The margin grew as large as 18 late in the game.

Cyerra Hutchins led the Hawks with 15 points. Bradley signee Madison Dellamuth added 10 points, as did Rotter.

A junior, Rotter made her varsity return after missing her entire sophomore season with a torn right ACL.

"I felt good and steady," said Rotter, who also grabbed six rebounds. "I got rid of my brace because I felt it was holding me back.

"Kaylie Miller added 15 points for the Muskies.

MUSCATINE 56, CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE 46

At C.R. Prairie

MUSCATINE (56): Emily Clemens 6-12 3-3 17, Katie Schoultz 1-5 1-4 3, Kaylie Miller 4-11 6-7 15, Annabel Graettinger 1-8 4-7 6, Taylor Livermore 2-4 0-0 4, Emily Meeker 1-2 0-0 2, Erin Oppel 2-3 5-7 9, Taylor White 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 17-46 19-28 56.

C.R. PRAIRIE (46): Cyerra Hutchins 5-12 4-10 15, Emilie Rotter 3-8 4-7 10, Olivia Usher 3-4 2-4 9, Madison Dellamuth 3-8 2-2 10, Makenzie Stoffer 0-1 0-0 0, Taylor Moenk 0-0 0-0 0, Madalynn Adams 0-2 0-1 0, Lynsey Altenhofen 0-2 2-2 2. Totals 14-37 14-26 46.Halftime: Muscatine 28, Prairie 25. 3-point goals: Muscatine 3-15 (Clemens 2-4, Shoultz 0-2, Miller 1-5, Graettinger 0-4), Prairie 4-10 (Hutchins 1-2, Rotter 0-1, Usher 1-2, Dellamuth 2-4, Altenhofen 0-1). Team fouls: Muscatine 25, Prairie 22. Fouled out: Rotter. Rebounds: Muscatine 31 (Graettinger 7), Prairie 32 (Rotter, Usher 6). Assists: Muscatine 8 (Clemens 3), Prairie 8 (Usher 4). Steals: Muscatine 11 (Clemens 7), Prairie 7 (Hutchins, Dellamuth 3). Turnovers: Muscatine 13, Prairie 21.