Story by: Scott Dubois—
With an early season match up of two unbeaten girls’ basketball team and two county rival there was excitement in the air as Marion took on host Oak Hill Tuesday night. At the end of the evening the 2nd ranked in 2AOak Hill girls’ basketball team had secured a hard fought 51-37 victory over the Giants on Tuesday night.
The game got off to slow start as both teams were adjusting to early jitters and tight officiating. The Golden Eagles were the first team to settle in behind their frontline of sophomore Taylor Westgate and juniors Adriana Trexler and Kayla Robey. The trio provided stifling defense and scoring punch inside as Oak Hill pulled ahead by a score of 12-6 at end of the first quarter. In the second period Oak Hill had three starters on the bench with foul trouble and a fourth starter, Westgate resting. With Marion working against mostly reserves, they failed to make a dent in the Eagles’ advantage. Just the opposite happened as Oak Hill increased their lead to a 26-12 halftime bulge. Oak Hill was sparked by the defensive efforts of senior Ajua Smith and Brittany McCorkle and a couple three point baskets by Kristin Dubois.
In the second half the Lady Giants came out determined to proof that the game was far from over. Marion exploded on a 14-0 run fueled by sophomore 6’6” Ra Shaya Kyle and senior Del’Reann Horton to tie the score at 26!!! For the remainder the quarter the play became a defensive struggle with the Eagles gaining a slim 33-32 lead at the conclusion of the third quarter. In the final stanza the game remained close until junior Jenessa Hasty connected on a three to extend the lead to 39-34. At this point in the game Westgate took over inside to expand the Oak Hill bulge to 10 points at 47-37. Free throws by McCorkle and Dubois sealed the win at 51-37. Westgate finished a big game by leading Oak Hill with 20 points and 15 rebounds. Kyle and Horton topped Marion topped Marion with 12 points each.
Oak Hill moves their record to 2-0, and travels to Northfield on Friday. Marion drops to 2-1 and travels to Wabash on Saturday.
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