Comeback falls short
News editor
The Marion High School girls’ basketball team fell behind by 11 points against White City in the Cougar Classic at Centre, but came back to tie the game in the fourth quarter. After the big comeback though, White City pulled away to win, 43-33.
Marion trailed 10-6 at the end of the first quarter and 24-16 at halftime. White City extended its lead to 27-16 early in the third quarter before Marion began its comeback.
Marion’s man-to-man defensive pressure fueled the comeback. Erin Meierhoff got a steal, and Megan Richmond scored after an offensive rebound of Meierhoff’s missed shot attempt.
Freshman Kirsten Hansen added defensive pressure with a pair of steals at halfcourt. She converted the first steal into a layup and missed the second, but Kelli Hess got the offensive rebound and made her put-back shot to cut the deficit to 27-22.
Coach Kelly Robson said Hansen allows the team to apply more pressure, which improves the team’s overall energy.
The teams traded baskets before Hess made a steal at halfcourt and scored a layup to end the third quarter with Marion trailing, 29-26. Richmond scored by driving in the lane, but White City answered.
Meierhoff tied the game at 31 with a corner three-pointer and five minutes remaining in the game.
But after tying the game, foul trouble and cold shooting doomed Marion’s chances for a victory. White City scored seven consecutive points on free throws as they reopened the lead to 41-31. Kaelyn Thierolf scored Marion’s only points in the final five minutes with an offensive rebound and put-back.
Marion lost the game, 43-33.
Hess led Marion in scoring with 8 points; Meierhoff, 7; Thierolf, 6; Hansen, 4; Richmond, 4; and Katey Ehrlich, 2.
Last modified Jan. 16, 2013