Marion girls defeat Centre
In a neighborly rivalry Feb. 3 at Centre High School, the Marion High School girls' varsity defeated Centre, 56-42.
Statistics show the Lady Cougars shot 31 percent from the field compared to 29 by Marion. Centre was 59 percent from the free-throw line compared to 41 by Marion, and out-rebounded Marion 44-34.
However, Marion shot the ball more and was at the free-throw line more, adding up to a win for the Lady Warriors.
The Lady Cougars took an early lead including several break-away baskets by Jill Fenske, resulting in a 17-11 Marion deficit at the end of the first quarter.
The Lady Warriors crept up on the Lady Cougars and tied the game with five minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Two-point buckets from Toni Gordon and Brandi Peterie-Shipman put Marion up 23-19. Two free-throws by Centre's Fenske made the score 23-21.
A trey by Centre's Selena Seifert as the buzzer sounded put Centre up by one, 24-23, at half-time.
The Lady Warriors picked up the tempo in the second half. They made numerous trips to the free-throw line as their opponents tried to prevent successful lay-ups. By the end of the third quarter, Marion led, 38-28.
The Lady Cougars came within nine points several times during the fourth quarter, but that was as close as they got.
With two minutes remaining, Emmy Bowers made a basket to put Marion ahead, 51-40. Jackie Klenda and Megan Gutsch each completed a free-throw, to close the gap to nine.
However, Marion scored the final five points of the game on free-throws from Leann Thomas, Peterie-Shipman, and Sarah Williams, resulting in a 14-point win.
Fenske was Centre's leading scorer with 15 points, followed by Gutsch with 12. Gutsch and Laura Klenda had 11 rebounds each.
CENTRE STATISTICS
Marion 11 12 15 18 - 56
Centre 17 7 4 14 - 42
Total points: Selena Seifert, 3; Jill Fenske, 15; Jackie Klenda, 2; Krista Heiser, 4; Megan Gutsch, 12; Raschelle Jirak, 4; Laura Klenda, 2.
Assists: Seifert, 1; Fenske, 1; J. Klenda, 2; Heiser, 1; Gutsch, 2; Jirak, 1; L. Klenda, 2.
Rebounds: Seifert, 2; Fenske, 2; J. Klenda, 6; Heiser, 3; Gutsch, 11; Jirak, 4; L. Klenda, 11; Jenna Beneke, 5.
Blocked shots: Seifert, 1; Heiser, 1; Gutsch, 3; Jirak, 1; Stahlecker, 1; L. Klenda, 4; Beneke, 2.
Steals: Fenske, 4; J. Klenda, 2; Heiser, 1; Gutsch, 3; Jirak, 1; L. Klenda, 4.
Centre junior varsity girls were outmatched and outplayed. They lost the game, 68-38.
Brittany Owens led Centre's scoring with 11 points, followed by Alisha Luna with 10.
In a C-game, Centre was defeated 38-28. Shaina Makovec scored 11 points.
