Juggernaut Crusaders Overpower Tigers in Regional Championship

Bishop Heelan's three-headed scoring attack too much for Spencer in 72-34 victory

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Spencer Girls Basketball team fell to the undefeated Bishop Heelan Crusaders 72-34 in the Class 4A Region 1 Championship game on Tuesday night. The Crusaders' stifling defense and balanced scoring attack, led by Melina Snoozy's 26 points, proved too much for the Tigers to overcome.

Why it matters

Bishop Heelan's dominant performance solidifies their status as a juggernaut in Iowa high school girls basketball, as they advance to the Class 4A State Tournament with a perfect 23-0 record. For Spencer, the loss marks the end of their 2025-2026 season, in which they finished 13-10.

The details

The Crusaders jumped out to a 16-2 lead in the first quarter, with Snoozy scoring 11 points. Bishop Heelan's full-court press in the second quarter challenged the Tigers, but Spencer was able to cut the deficit to 15 points by halftime. The Crusaders then pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring the Tigers 26-5 to take a commanding 58-22 lead going into the fourth.

  • The game was played on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.
  • Bishop Heelan led 16-2 at the end of the first quarter.
  • The Crusaders led 42-27 at halftime.
  • Bishop Heelan outscored Spencer 26-5 in the third quarter.
  • The game ended with a final score of 72-34.

The players

Melina Snoozy

The leading scorer for Bishop Heelan, Snoozy poured in 26 points, 20 of which came in the first half.

Ella Otten

A key contributor for the Crusaders, Otten scored 13 points in the victory.

Trishelle Miller

Also scoring 13 points for Bishop Heelan, Miller was part of the Crusaders' three-headed scoring attack.

Calista Frankenstein

The leading scorer for Spencer, Frankenstein tallied 16 points in the loss.

Sydnee Hopkins

Hopkins added 12 points for the Tigers in the regional championship game.

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What’s next

Bishop Heelan will take the #2 seed in the Class 4A State Tournament and will play the #7 seed North Polk in the Quarterfinals.

The takeaway

Bishop Heelan's dominant performance in the regional championship game showcases their status as a powerhouse in Iowa high school girls basketball. Their stifling defense and balanced scoring attack proved too much for the Spencer Tigers to overcome, setting the stage for the Crusaders' run at the state title.