GARWIN – Strong offensive action from sophomores Skyler Murty and Arianna Pierce combined with freshman Taelyn Sash’s game-high 11 steals helped the GMG girls basketball team deftly defeat, 53-42, the winless AGWSR Cougars during the Class 1A Region 5 opening round here on Thursday, Feb. 12, to advance to the semifinals.

Skyler Murty led GMG with 18 points; she also had seven rebounds, five steals, and a block to pace on both ends of the court. Pierce poured in 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting while pulling down four rebounds.

Sash turned in one of the most complete stat lines of the night, finishing with eight points, six assists, a team-high 11 steals, and eight rebounds despite battling through a tough shooting night.

Off the bench, senior Makayla Pendleton added six points and two blocks; freshman Addi Elmore contributed five rebounds and two points.

Sophomore Riah Boege chipped in two points, and senior Rhianna Murty added a free throw, two assists, and two steals.

GMG dispatched AGWSR while missing a key starter — senior point guard Macie Sanders who was injured during the Iowa Star conference crossover game with Clarksville on Feb. 7.

With the win, the Wolverines (12-10) advanced to the postseason quarterfinals, facing the Meskwaki Settlement Warriors (17-3) on the road this past Tuesday, Feb. 17. GMG fell to the Warriors, 73-42. The Sun Courier will feature coverage from that game in the Friday, Feb. 27, 2026 edition.