Karleigh Sutter of Marysville hits a jumper during Wednesday’s 50-31 victory over Buckeye Valley. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)
If there was ever any high school basketball team that needed a victory in a big way, it is the girls hoop squad from Marysville High School.
It has been quite a difficult and different type of week for the Lady Monarchs.
Head coach Brooke Young was placed on paid leave of absence late last week due to an alleged infraction of “lack of professional judgment.”
Her future status with the program was not known Wednesday evening, but one good thing happened.
The Lady Monarchs came through with a 50-31 victory over Buckeye Valley.
Interim head coach Lauren Devine acknowledged it’s been a tough week.
However, she felt the win revealed the team’s character.
“I’m so proud of how the girls played tonight,” said Devine as the Lady Monarchs improved their record to 5-10. “They stepped up to protect the paint on defense and they were patient in running our offense.”
Devine said that, instead of letting the off-court situation distract them, the Lady Monarchs “came together and remained close. They also held each other accountable and I think that was reflected in this win.”
Marysville withstood several different defensive looks from the Lady Barons, who slipped to 10-6 with the loss.
“They played a couple different zone defenses, plus some man-to-man,” said Devine. “The girls were able to recognize whenever they made switches and adjusted to them well.”
BV climbed to an early 7-4 lead as MHS started the game cold from the field.
“Even when we didn’t shoot well at the start, the girls kept fighting,” said Devine.
Kass Lee finished the game with at least 10 rebounds, keeping many possessions alive for the Lady Monarchs.
Karleigh Sutter pulled MHS to within 7-6 before Buckeye Valley’s Chelsea Edgington sank a pair of charity tosses.
Caitlin Cotner then threw in a three-pointer that tied the game at 9-9 by the end of the opening stanza.
Both teams had trouble keeping possession of the ball as the ensuing quarter began.
Tinley Graves later hit a jumper and buried a trifecta as Marysville took a 14-10 lead.
The Barons came up with empty possessions as the Lady Monarchs’ defense closed down the low block.
Haley Cook, Sydney Lee and Kass Lee each tallied buckets, pushing Marysville out to a 20-12 margin.
BV continued its slump on the offensive end of the floor as the second quarter wound down.
Kass Lee, Graves and Cotner scored down the stretch, sending MHS into the turn with a 26-15 advantage.
Cook and Sydney Lee scored to give Marysville a 30-19 lead in the early stages of the third quarter.
The Lady Monarchs’ offense went cold, however, enabling Buckeye Valley to close to within 32-25 by the end of the set.
“We had some good looks at the basket, but the ball wouldn’t drop,” said Devine.
A score on the offensive glass by Madison Sloan, however, kick-started MHS’ offense.
Sutter hit a pair of shots and Graves tickled the twine with back-to-back trifectas.
All of the sudden, the Lady Monarchs had climbed to a 44-25 lead and were never seriously threatened the rest of the way.
Marysville
Graves 5-0-13, Cook 3-3-9, K. Lee 2-3-7, Sutter 3-0-6, Cotner 2-0-5, S. Lee 2-0-4, Hazelbaker 2-0-4, Sloan 1-0-2, Welsh 0-0-0, Williams 0-0-0, Strahm 0-0-0, Brown 0-0-0. Totals 20-6-50.
Three-point goals: Graves 3, Cotner 1.
Buckeye Valley
Edgington 2-5-9, Grether 2-4-8, Craft 3-0-6, Garrett 2-0-4, Helms 0-2-2, Taylor 1-0-2. Totals 10-11-31.
Marysville’s jayvees began the evening with a 52-3 victory.
The Jr. Monarchs (14-1) were led by Cam Lee with 15 points and Alyssa Strahm and Abri Schmutz, each with 10.
Lauren Devine (center), Marysville High School’s interim girls basketball coach, gives instructions during a timeout. Also pictured in the background to the right is assistant coach Tom Herchek. (Journal-Tribune photo by Tim Miller)