Leah Brown (13) goes up for a shot during Marysville’s 55-18 victory over Hilliard Davidson.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
—
Cam Lee (right) of Marysville comes up with a loose ball during the game against Hilliard Davidson. The Lady Monarchs won, 55-18.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
—
About the best way to describe the defense that’s played by the Marysville High School girls hoop squad would be to compare it to a praying mantis.
The predatory insect is all arms and legs in going after its prey.
The Lady Monarchs (10-3) exhibited that type of defensive pressure during a 55-18 victory over Hilliard Davidson.
Marysville smothered the Wildcats, using intense arm and leg pressure all over the court to deny passing and driving lanes.
Once again, an opponent had difficulty getting good looks at the basket against the MHS squad.
“Our defensive energy was phenomenal,” said Lady Monarch head coach Klarke Ransome. “Our communication was great.”
JoJo Eberhart and Ava Wilkerson drained trifectas and Leah Brown split defenders for a layup as Marysville jumped out to an 8-0 lead.
A number of early Davidson possessions came up empty against MHS’ defense.
The Wildcats scored their first points with less than four minutes left in the opening stanza.
Gwen Jenkins got the ball down on the low block for one of the few times during the contest.
She scored and hit an ensuing free throw to cut Marysville’s lead to 8-3.
Brown responded with a three-ball that stretched the Lady Monarchs’ margin to 11-3.
Both teams swapped possessions over the next several minutes.
Abbey Williams gave MHS its first double-digit lead at the buzzer.
Her stickback sent Marysville into the second quarter with a 13-3 advantage.
Logan Harris tallied a bucket for Davidson early in the ensuing period.
Cam Lee hit a jumper and Abri Schmutz joined in the three-point parade to stretch the home team’s lead to 18-5.
Eberhart flashed past defenders for a bucket, while Ava Krutowskis took an assist from Wilkerson for two points.
As a result, Marysville elevated its margin to 22-7.
Eberhart scored on the offensive glass and later hit a basket with 7.7 ticks on the first-half clock.
Her buckets helped the Lady Monarchs to a 32-11 advantage by the halftime break.
MHS’ defense caused even more problems for Davidson once play resumed.
A basket by Krutowskis stretched Marysville’s upper hand to 38-13 within the first three minutes of the third quarter.
Yewell Dowell dropped in the Wildcats’ lone three-pointer of the night, but that only cut MHS’ margin to 38-16.
Cam Lee took an assist from twin sister Gab for a three-pointer,
Williams scored once again as the Lady Monarchs (who will host Olentangy on Friday) grabbed a 47-17 spread by the end of the quarter.
Ransome began making liberal use of his bench over the final eight minutes.
Grace Groves’ basket gave MHS a 53-17 advantage.
That invoked the running clock rule for the remainder of the game.
Davidson tallied its lone point of the fourth quarter from the free throw line.
Defense was not the only part of Marysville’s game that pleased its coach.
“That was the most complete game we’ve played, from start to finish, this season,” said Ransome.
“When we’re locked in on defense, we move the ball well and our offense flows,” he said.
“We also played tough and physical.”
Marysville
Eberhart 7-0-15, Brown 3-2-9, Wilkerson 3-0-7, C. Lee 3-0-7, Williams 3-0-6, Krutowskis 2-0-4, Schmutz 1-1-4, Groves 1-0-2, Hanson 0-1-1, Strahm 0-0-0, G. Lee 0-0-0. Totals 23-4-55.
Three-point goals: Eberhart 1, Brown 1, Wilkerson 1, C. Lee 1, Schmutz 1.
Hilliard Davidson
Jenkins 4-1-9, Dowell 2-0-5, Harris 1-0-2, Lahmers 0-1-1, Sculli 0-1-1, Kaufman 0-0-0, Emery 0-0-0, Trout 0-0-0. Totals 7-3-18.
Three-point goal: Dowell 1.
Marysville’s jayvee team upped its record to 11-2 with a 40-12 verdict.