Clutch Free Throw Shooting Lifts John Marshall By Brooke
Monarchs Knock Down 20 of 28 Attempts From Foul Line In 48-40 Win
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WELLSBURG - There are many aspects of a basketball game that are important. Free throw shooting being one of them.
John Marshall tickled the twine on 20 of 28 attempts from the foul line Monday night, including eight in the fourth quarter to post a 48-40 repeat victory over homestanding Brooke in girls action. The Monarchs (9-3) won 61-37 in the season-opener back in November.
"Two things about that first game," John Marshall head coach Brock Melko said following Monday night's win. "First, that game was in November, and, second, it wasn't like we blew them away and were up by 40 and took our foot off the gas. It was a gradual thing. We looked on the way up here and we were up by 12 at the end of three quarters in that first game.
"It's never easy coming up here. They kind of ugly it up and I feel lucky to be leaving with a win right now."
The second time around wasn't like that at all.
In fact, this result came down to the final minutes despite neither team shooting well from the floor. John Marshall made just 14 of 61 attempts (30 percent) while Brooke was 15-for-48 (31 percent).
"My girls played hard but when they make 20 shots from the foul line that's us beating us," Brooke head coach Amy Serevicz said. "We outscored them from the floor. It is what it is."
With the Monarchs, who appeared in the others receiving votes in the AP Class AAA state rankings released earlier Monday, leading 41-40 with 60 seconds remaining to play, freshman Riley Storm calmly stepped to the charity stripe and deposited a pair of shots through the rim as the lead increased to 43-40.
The Bruins (4-5) came down the floor and missed, with Lilie Babiczuk securing the rebound - her 20th of the game. She passed the ball to Storm who was fouled, She missed the first attempt, but got the second to go down for a 44-40 advantage with 33.9 ticks left.
Following a Brooke timeout, the Bruins misfired and a jump-ball situation was in JM's favor.
Storm made two more free throws with 22.9 showing as the Monarchs led 46-40, but Ava Bolen's basket with 10.5 cut the margin to 46-42.
John Marshall's Masyn Inclan was fouled with 8.4 on the clock and made both attempts for the final.
"We had the right people shooting at the end, and that helps," Melko said of Storm and Inclan. "I thought we played smart at the end, getting the right people the ball."
Kaitlyn Blake led John Marshall with a game-high 18 points, but only two came after the intermission. Kayli Derrow had 13 and nine rebounds despite fouling out early in the fourth quarter.
"I'll take her effort. She was working hard tonight," Melko said of Derrow. "Her effort in the second and third quarters lifted us."
Babiczuk added eight points to her game-best rebound total.
"That's 16 for her in the last two games," Melko said of his lone senior. "And she sat for most of the first half with foul trouble. Her scoring hasn't been there, but her rebounding has been outstanding."
Brooke was paced by Bolen's 16. Angelina Lippoli added eight. Bolen also grabbed 13 rebounds.
"We cut down on our turnovers tonight, but we had a couple there at the end where they scored points off of them," Serevizc recalled. "We were down by one, turned the ball over and they scored. Now, we're down by three and turn it over again and they score
The Monarchs are back in action when Linsly visits the Monarch Field House Saturday afternoon for a 3:30 tip.