PHOTO BY WENDY WITT/MESKWAKI MEDIA

MESKWAKI SETTLEMENT – The GMG girls basketball team took a tough defensive effort on the road to the Class 1A Region 5 quarterfinal against the Meskwaki Settlement Warriors on Tuesday, Feb. 17, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to overcome Meskwaki’s stellar shot efficiency.

The Warriors triumphed 73-42 in the postseason clash, shooting 30-of-56 from the floor (53.6%) and 6-of-13 from deep (46.2%) while finishing 7-of-12 from the charity stripe. As a team, GMG finished 16-of-62 from the floor (25.8%) and 3-of-16 from beyond the arc, while turning the ball over two dozen times – nearly double the Warriors’ turnovers. Despite amassing a game-high 36 rebounds, GMG’s defense could not compete with Meskwaki’s shooting touch.

Sophomore Skyler Murty led GMG with a dozen points on 5-of-10 shooting and a perfect 2-for-2 effort from beyond the arc. Off the bench, sophomore Arianna Pierce followed with 10 points. Freshman Taelyn Sash and Grace Mathern (off the bench) scored six points apiece.

GMG’s defensive pressure came from across the roster, with Skyler Murty, Pierce, senior Makayla Pendleton, and freshman Addi Elmore all pulling down six rebounds. Skyler Murty and Sash both snagged two steals.

Meskwaki placed four players in double figures and had six players with at least three assists. Junior Dorothy Bear led the Warrior offense with 20 points, including three 3-pointers, while freshman Martha Blackcloud added 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting with a game-high eight assists and five steals. Junior Eva Roberts chipped in 17 points and junior Isabella Kapayou added 11 points off the bench. The Warriors stole the ball 18 times.

Wolverine freshman Taelyn Sash (33) goes for the layup against Meskwaki junior Karsyn Wolf during the Class 1A Region 5 quarterfinal Feb. 17, 2026. Sash recorded a half dozen points for the Wolverines. PHOTO BY WENDY WITT/MESKWAKI MEDIA

GMG ended the 2025-26 season 12-11, 8-4 in the Iowa Star South – their best effort since 2022-23.

With the win over GMG, the Warriors moved on to the regional semifinal round where they lost to North Union, 51-44. Meskwaki closed out the 2025-26 season 18-4 (11-1) and atop the Iowa Star South, marking the program’s best season since 2012-13.

GMG sophomore Skyler Murty (13) battles for control of the ball against Meskwaki junior Karsyn Wolf during the Class 1A Region 5 quarterfinal played Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, at Meskwaki Settlement School. Murty led her team with 12 points and six rebounds. PHOTO BY WENDY WITT/MESKWAKI MEDIA

GMG freshman Grace Mathern surveys the floor during the Class 1A Region 5 quarterfinal played on the road Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, against Meskwaki Settlement. PHOTO BY WENDY WITT/MESKWAKI MEDIA

Guarded by Meskawki junior Sade Kapayou (15), GMG freshman Addi Elmore looks for a pass target during the Class 1A Region 5 quarterfinal played on the road Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. PHOTO BY WENDY WITT/MESKWAKI MEDIA

PHOTO BY WENDY WITT/MESKWAKI MEDIA

GMG freshman Grace Mathern passes the ball late in the fourth quarter during the Class 1A Region 5 quarterfinal played on the road Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, against Meskwaki Settlement. PHOTO BY WENDY WITT/MESKWAKI MEDIA

PHOTO BY WENDY WITT/MESKWAKI MEDIA

PHOTO BY WENDY WITT/MESKWAKI MEDIA