The Exira-EHK Spartans Girls Basketball team heads to Des Moines and Wells Fargo Arena today to participate in the State Tournament.  The Spartans first task will be to try and take down the defending state champion Newell-Fonda Mustangs.  The Spartans come into the game undefeated at 23-0 while the Mustangs are 18-6.

On paper the two teams are very similar with rosters built on quickness and speed with not a lot of height.  The Spartans are averaging 61.3 points per game offensively while allowing opponents just 32.1 ppg.  The Mustangs are putting up a 60.5 ppg average and have allowed opponents to score just 45.8 points per contest.

Players to watch for the Mustangs are Senior Maddi Morenz and Junior Erin Gerke.  Morenz is averaging a team high 13.3 points per game and shoots 42% from the field, she also leads the team in rebounds with 112 on the year.  Gerke is a versatile driving Guard that is averaging 12.7 points per game and has a team leading 77 assists on the year.  The Spartans will counter with Sophomore Sophia Peppers who primarily works in the paint for her team leading 16.3 points per game and leads the team wit 152 rebounds.  Three other players average in double figures for the Spartans Mara Burmeister with 13.1, Maggie Rassmussen with 11.9, and Kealey Nelson with 11.5 points per game. Burmeister and Rasmussen lead the team from outside both hitting 45 threes so far this season.

The quarterfinal round match-up is set for a 3:15pm Tip-off at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.  We will have full coverage for you on KJAN on air at AM1220, FM101.1 and online at kjan.com or on the mobile app. Join Chris Parks for the call starting with the Pregame at 2:15pm.