FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A 10-0 run in the third quarter gave North Marion a lead they would not relinquish as the Huskies swept the regular season series from county rival Fairmont Senior, 69-68.
Trailing 34-33 at halftime, the Huskies outscored the Polar Bears 17-6 in the opening four minutes of the third quarter. North led 52-45 after three and held off a late Polar Bear push in the fourth.
“We got our hands up and we were flying around in the second half,” said North Marion head coach Mike Parrish. “We got up in the passing lanes and forced some turnovers. We got some momentum going by hitting some easy transition baskets. Against them, we had to get easy baskets because they make you work so hard in the halfcourt.”
The Polar Bears closed the first quarter on a 10-2 run to even the score at 17-17 after one. West used a 9-1 run to take their biggest lead of the game at 26-18 midway through the second quarter. But the Huskies trimmed the deficit to just one point at the break.
Three Huskies scored in double figures and they were led by sophomore Katlyn Carson’s 21-point effort.
“She did real well defensively and she changes a lot of shots. She played smart. The first time we played time them she got in foul trouble early. We needed her in for the whole game this time.”
Senior Taylor Buonamici added 18 points.
“She got those three fouls early and I had to put her back in. When she was out, we went down six and said we had to gamble. Sometimes it pays off. Tonight it paid off.”
Karlie Denham chipped in with 17 points for the Huskies (18-1).
Fairmont Senior (15-3) was led by Rebekah Jenkins’ 21-point performance. Marley Washenitz added 19 and Morgan Lilley scored 10.
The win likely secures the top seed in the upcoming sectional tournament for North Marion.
“This should seal the (Big 10) Conference championship for us and hopefully the one-seed in the sectional. We are a lot better when we are playing at home.”