Story by: Scott Dubois—
Marion against Oak Hill boys basketball is all that needs to be said for a majority of fans in grant county. The two teams met again on the hardwood at Bill Green Arena in front of a large group of intense fans on Tuesday. The Golden Eagles and Giants put forth a very physical effort in a tight battle, but when the dust settled Marion come away with 76-68-victory.
With Oak Hill being the #1 ranked team in Class 2A and Marion being the defending Class 3A champion, the excitement in the air could easily be felt. The Golden Eagles and Giants brought the excitement onto the floor with a very high speed fastbreaking first quarter. Oak Hill would jump out to the early lead fueled by easy buckets from juniors David Arens and Tyce Frank. Facing tight defense on senior guard Tim Leavell, the state’s player of the week, Marion responded well behind freshman guard JK Thomas to close the quarter with a 21-18. In the second period the pace of the game slowed dramatically when seemed to the Golden Eagles’ advantage. Junior Reid Newhouse provided energy and easy baskets and Oak Hill used his efforts to surge past the Giants 33-30 at halftime.
In the second half the Eagles were looking their first victory against Marion since 2003 and the third quarter could best be described began as a defensive grind. With junior Spence Ballinger carrying the offensive for Oak Hill and Leavell doing the same for the Giants, the Golden Eagles held a slim 47-45 with 10 seconds to go in the third quarter. Marion forced a quick Oak Hill turnover that led to a layup that tied the game at 47 as the buzzer sounded to end the third quarter. Early in the four quarter the Golden Eagles would regain to 52-51 only see the Giants go on a 9-0. Two three pointers by senior Cameron Black sandwiched are a three by fellow senior Tyrese Cobb pushed Marion a 60-52 lead. Fatigue seemed to set in for Oak Hill as the Marion lead ballooned as high as 11. The Golden Eagles would close to within seven in the last minute, but would get no closer as Marion prevailed 76-68. Oak Hill would be led in scoring by Arens and Ballinger with 18 points each. Frank added 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Eagles.
Oak Hill drops to 16-3 on the season and hosts Elwood on Friday. Marion improves to 10-9 and will travel to Lafayette Harrison on Friday.
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