Monarchs shut down Golden Bears
Trending
MOUNDSVILLE -- Four games into the season, John Marshall girls basketball coach Brock Melko has noticed a little trend from his squad: A balanced scoring attack.
Thursday night against Oak Glen was no different, as three Monarchs scored in double figures, while two others scored eight points in a 59-36 victory over the Golden Bears at the John Marshall Fieldhouse.
"That's kind of been our M.O.," Melko said. "We've had pretty balanced scoring, which is obviously a good thing. It makes us a little tougher to prepare for. I think we do a pretty good job of playing unselfishly on offense. Whether that's in transition, out of our set or moving the ball, we become tougher to guard. It's good to see multiple people get into double figures again."
Catherine Hunnell paced the Monarchs with a game-high 15 points, while also hitting three shots from behind the arc. Landyn Helms netted 13. Madge Lucey rounded out the double-figure scorers for the Monarchs, as she supplied 10 points.
Lilie Babiczuk and Lakyn Groves netted eight points.
The scoring for John Marshall, though, didn't come until almost midway through the first quarter, as Oak Glen provided the first six points of the game. The Monarchs then went on a 12-0 run over the next three minutes and never trailed again.
"It was sparked by our defense," Melko said. "I tell them that we are going to have bad stretches, we're going to miss shots and turn the ball over sometimes. But, I thought really from start to finish, I thought our defensive effort and focus was what was the difference in the game."
It certainly was, as the John Marshall's pressure gave Oak Glen fits for the majority of the game.
The Monarchs held a five-point lead (20-15) with 3:04 left in the second quarter after Alexus Greenlief hit a pair of free throws for the Golden Bears. John Marshall then went on a quick 8-0 spurt to go up by double figures for the remainder of the game. The Monarchs also finished the third quarter scoring 11 unanswered points.
"They're quick, and coach (Melko) said that they played (Wednesday). We thought maybe they would run out of energy, and we're still waiting for that," Oak Glen coach Scott Wiley said. "They just never ran out of energy. I thought we played hard and didn't give up. It just seemed like they were quicker and they got some nice shooters."
Reece Enochs and Greenlief supplied 11 points each to pace the Golden Bears, who tentatively travel to Madonna Saturday afternoon.