Allie Rioch of Marysville attempts to drive to the basket while two Dublin Coffman defenders try to block her path on Friday. Rioch tallied three points during the Lady Monarchs’ 90-45 loss.
(Journal Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
––––
Basketball by its nature is competitive, but for the Lady Monarchs of Marysville, they faced some stiff competition Friday when they took the court against the fourth-ranked team in the state in Dublin Coffman. The tall order was too much for the Monarchs to overcome as the Lady Rocks won, 90-45.
The Monarchs were able to strike first with a trey from Cassie Francisco, but the Shamrocks answered back with enough points to eliminate that early lead and take control of the game.
Francisco continued her offensive efforts down low for the Lady Monarchs, tallying a team-high of eight points. all in the first eight minutes of the contest.
Despite the steep hill the Monarchs had to climb, they were able to keep the Lady Rocks to within 27-19 by the end of the first quarter.
“We have really been trying to work and focus on getting her (Francisco) involved a little bit more this year on the inside,” said MHS coach Mindy Eisnaugle. “That will open up the outside little bit.
“We have really been trying to get her the ball more this season.”
The second quarter was a different story for the Lady Monarchs as they struggled to find the bottom of the basket.
Katherine Hazelbaker was the only Lady Monarch to put in a field goal during the quarter.
MHS also had trouble at charity strip, converting only 3-of-11, as Dublin Coffman took a 52-24 lead into the lockerroom.
“I think they were pretty optimistic after that first quarter for us to hang,” said Eisnaugle. “Whenever you come into a game like this, it is tough.”
“They came out and competed and they didn’t get down,” she said. “I was pretty proud of them.”
Marysville’s woes continued in the third quarter on the boards. Dublin Coffman was able to collect ball after ball off the glass for putbacks to widen the gap.
The Lady Monarchs increased their offensive productivity in the quarter, sinking four shots from the field.
Sarah O’Neil scored five of her seven points in the quarter to put the score line at 79-33.
“(Rebounding) has kind of been a battle for us all around,” Eisnaugle said. “I think we did OK on the inside with our guards getting those long rebounds.
“We’ve been working a lot on boxing out, but it is one of those things that has been plaguing us all season.”
The Lady Monarchs tallied 12 points during the final set, but the damage had already been done.
The Lady Monarchs now find themselves at 9-11 on the season and will return to the court on Tuesday to celebrate Senior Night against Big Walnut.
“Big Walnut is very tough and physical,” Eisnaugle said. “They will be in our face with a man-to-man. The girls kind of know that, so we’ve got to prepare, be strong with the basketball and do what we do and not play into their hand.”
Dublin Coffman
Sheldon 10-6-27, Kopymr 10-2-24, Edwards 3-5-12, Wagner 4-1-9, Burris 3-1-7, Ayner 2-0-4, Diamond 1-0-3, Machulski 1-0-2, Siefted 0-2-2
Three-point goals: Kopymr 2, Diamond 1, Edwards 1, Sheldon 1
Marysville
Francisco 3-1-8, Sutter 3-2-8, O’Neil 2-3-7, Cook 2-1-5, Hazelbaker 2-1-5, Lee 2-0-4, Graves 1-0-3, Rioch 1-1-3, Welsh 1-0-2
Three-point goals: Francisco 1, Graves 1