Lady Patriots continue push for state tourney
Marion girls earn key win over Lady Eagles
By CHUCK LIVINGSTON
Marion School District
In her team’s locker room after the game last Friday night, Shunda Johnson pulled no punches when asked how significant her team’s 51-49 victory over Greene County Tech was.
“We have to do whatever we can to make the state tournament,” said Johnson. “We have to make sure we lock in, and buy in, do whatever we need to do to punch our ticket.”
Mission accomplished. Marion (19-8 overall, 9-3 5A East) will participate in March madness for the ninth time in Johnson’s 10 seasons at the school.
Johnson guided Marion to its first state championship in 2017, and she’s guided the Lady Pats to all four semifinal appearances in school history, as well as a pair of conference championships in 2017 and 2018.
Revenge also played a factor on Friday at Fidelity Bank Arena after Marion lost an 11-point fourth-quarter lead in January at Greene County Tech (15-9, 6-6).
The folks got their money’s worth Friday night, in a game that featured 18 lead changes and 14 ties, with Marion taking the lead for good with a minute left on Kiera Neal’s layup.
Just one night after missing 12 free throws in a seven-point loss at West Memphis, Marion held the line against Tech, making 15 of 22 charities, including five of six in the second quarter, when the Lady Pats claimed a 24-20 lead at halftime.
“We talked among each other about free throws and turnovers all day,” said Johnson. “At this time of year, you need to address the little things because it’s the difference between winning and losing.”
The Lady Eagles started fast in the third period, making nine of 13 shots from the floor while forcing seven Marion turnovers, to lead 42-41 to start the fourth period.
The final, frantic fourth quarter featured four lead changes and three ties.
Neal pushed the Lady Pats in front twice. Her first bucket came with 3:39 remaining on a layup and Marion led 47-45.
Emma Bates delivered a 49-48 lead to Tech on a layup with 1:25 remaining, which set the table for Neal’s heroics.
Marion moved the ball around the perimeter when Falencia Selvy got the ball to Neal in the paint. Neal spun to her left and finished off the glass to give the hosts a one-point lead.
The Lady Pats employed an aggressive man-to-man defense for more than 40 seconds on the ensuing possession, forcing a Tech timeout with 19.5 seconds left in regulation.
Following the stoppage, Tech got the ball to Ava Carter, who missed a baseline runner with 11.2 seconds left, and Marion’s Alyse Holliman cleared the rebound. A Selvy free throw set the final score.
Neal notched a teamhigh 14 points, while Holliman hit for 11 points and seven rebounds. Jessica Robins added eight points and four assists.
Carter hit for a gamehigh 19 points, while Sierra Floyd scored 13, and Kylie Stokes added 10.
Marion center Alyse Holliman (20) defends the perimeter.
Photo by Londa Hamrick
