Marmaduke shoots into title game
PANGBURN — Sidnee Bopp turned in a four-point play on Marmaduke’s first possession Wednesday afternoon at the Class 2A girls basketball state tournament.
That pretty much set the tone for the Lady Greyhounds in their 92-59 rout of Johnson County Westside in the semifinals at Tiger Arena.
Marmaduke (40-2) forced Johnson County Westside into 20 turnovers in the first half and used a 17-0 run over a three-minute span during the second quarter to take a 46-20 lead into halftime.
Madison Price scored 13 of her game-high 21 points in the first half, including nine in the second quarter when Marmaduke outscored Johnson County Westside 24-9. Allison Hampton scored 20 points — 9 coming off 3 three-pointers in the third quarter — and was one of five Marmaduke players with at least 10 points.
It was the third consecutive 30-point mercy rule victory of the tournament for Marmaduke, which made 14 three-pointers.
“We’re not bad when we shoot well, but you don’t expect that in a state tournament,” Marmaduke Coach Rick Smith said. “We played pretty good defense, and it was amazing.”
Johnson County Westside (28-6) tried to get into the game behind two three-pointers by Marlee Stepp and five points by Mckenna Mainard that closed the gap to 19-13, but Marmaduke’s defensive pressure was too much.
“This is Marmaduke’s time,” Johnson County Westside Coach Steve Golden said. “They did a great job and shot the eyes out of it. Even if we had we played our best, which we didn’t, I don’t think we could have won that game the way they shot it.”
ENGLAND 78, BUFFALO ISLAND CENTRAL 56
Six players scored at least 10 points each to lead England (30-6) back to the state championship with a victory over Buffalo Island Central (25-12).
Amber Martin came off the bench to make five three-pointers and led England with 15 points, while starters Shavonta Blanks and Cecela Phillips scored 14 points each, Samantha Gooden added 12 and Alesha Penister and Julia Bryant had 11 each.
Hannah Poe finished with 24 points to lead BIC.