Marlington girls basketball honors four seniors with comeback win over Louisville

Bob Evans
·4 min read

LEXINGTON TWP. — Two longtime rivals battled it out for 32 minutes Saturday afternoon at Marlington High School.

The Dukes chose to host the Louisville Leopards on Senior Day.

Marlington's, from left, Zoey Mort, Maria Warner and Chelsea Evanich and Louisville's Brooke Haren scramble for a loose ball during action Saturday afternoon at Marlington High School, January 28, 2023.
Marlington's, from left, Zoey Mort, Maria Warner and Chelsea Evanich and Louisville's Brooke Haren scramble for a loose ball during action Saturday afternoon at Marlington High School, January 28, 2023.

The teams did not disappoint the large crowd on hand to witness the outcome.

Marlington (16-2) came back from an eight-point halftime deficit to post a 62-56 win over the Leopards.

Prior to the start of the varsity game the Dukes' four seniors ― Maria Warner, Lexi Miller, Ava Collins, and Elizabeth Mason ― were honored for their contributions to the program over the past four years.

Marlington coach Stadulis said it has been an honor to coach these girls.

Marlington's Elizabeth Mason, right, drives to the hoop past Louisville's Courtney Barwick during action Saturday afternoon at Marlington High School, January 28, 2023.
Marlington's Elizabeth Mason, right, drives to the hoop past Louisville's Courtney Barwick during action Saturday afternoon at Marlington High School, January 28, 2023.

“They have been a fun and hard-working group,” he said.With four regular season games remaining plus the tournament, the Marlington seniors have a four-year record of 73-15.

Marlington held a three-point advantage at 16-13 after the opening period. But some hot 3-point shooting by Louisville enabled the Leopards to outscore the Dukes 17-6 for a 30-22 halftime lead.

The Leopards shot a blistering 5-of-7 from beyond the arc in the period.

Freshman Taylor McCully canned four 3s (three in the second quarter) on her way to team-high 17 points.

But the second half was a different story as the Dukes came out firing on all cylinders and outscored the Leopards 40-26.

Marlington and Louisville players battle for a rebound during action Saturday afternoon at Marlington High School, January 28, 2023.
Marlington and Louisville players battle for a rebound during action Saturday afternoon at Marlington High School, January 28, 2023.

Mason led the charge back to the lead. She scored 13 of her game-high 23 points in the third quarter. She also completed four traditional 3-point plays, three in the third quarter. She was a perfect 6-for-6 from the line.

“This was a game we really wanted because it was Senior Night and to bounce back from Wednesday,” said Mason. "The loss to Salem was really tough. We came in and we really wanted to win more.”

Mason takes pride in her foul shooting.

“I don’t try to think about it,” Mason said. “If I think about something I mess it up. So, I just do my thing."

Also, in the second half the Dukes became a lot more aggressive on offense and driving to the basket and causing the Leopards to foul.

Marlington's Maria Warner and Ava Collins contest Louisville's Brooke Haren, center, for the ball during action Saturday afternoon at Marlington High School, January 28, 2023.
Marlington's Maria Warner and Ava Collins contest Louisville's Brooke Haren, center, for the ball during action Saturday afternoon at Marlington High School, January 28, 2023.

For the game, Marlington connected on 23-of-25 free throws.

“We were able to pick it up in the second half with our defense which led to offense,” Stadulis said. “That was big for us getting the turnovers.”

The Marlington defense forced 21 Louisville turnovers.

Louisville (10-7) coach Jeff Couto knew it would be a much different second half.

“We knew coming out in the second half that they were going to give us some kind of ball pressure,” Couto said. "We needed to take care of the ball and not turn it over. We had way too many unforced turnovers like passing the ball over the top when there isn’t anybody there. We just didn’t relax and get into the game, which is very unusual for us because we have overcome that. We had some issues earlier in the year of not taking care of the ball. But today the Marlington Dukes made us play ugly.”

Marlington's Lexi Miller, right, is defended by Louisville's Delaney Orin during action Saturday afternoon at Marlington High School, January 28, 2023.
Marlington's Lexi Miller, right, is defended by Louisville's Delaney Orin during action Saturday afternoon at Marlington High School, January 28, 2023.

When all the dust had settled Couto thought it was a very good game.

“This is what high school sports is all about,” Couto said. “A good competitive spirit and a good crowd that got into it. Two teams that are talented and gifted getting after it and putting it all out there. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Junior Chelsea Evanich added 15 points and 13 rebounds. She also had a pair of 3-pointers. Miller had a solid game with 10 points, four rebounds and three steals. Warner, from her point position, finished with nine points, five assists and a pair of steals and Collins scored five points and grabbed three rebounds.

“I was really happy for Ava Collins,” Stadulis said. “She had a rough night shooting the other night, but she came back tonight to hit some big free throws down the stretch. Lexi Miller made a couple big shots in the fourth quarter and what can I say, Chelsea is Chelsea, and Maria and Elizabeth were just awesome.”

Marlington's Elizabeth Mason puts up a shot defended by Louisville's Taylor McCully during action Saturday afternoon at Marlington High School, January 28, 2023.
Marlington's Elizabeth Mason puts up a shot defended by Louisville's Taylor McCully during action Saturday afternoon at Marlington High School, January 28, 2023.

Also scoring in double figures for the Leopards sophomore Courtney Barwick with 14 points and junior Brooke Haren with 12. Louisville finished with 11 3-pointers in the game.

“We got out and contested their shots more in the second half,” Stadulis said. “They still made some, but they had to work a lot harder for them.”

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Marlington girls basketball defeats rival Louisville on Senior Day