Marion girls ride their defense to victory
Coach Brian O'Donnell has to be wondering what his Marion girls basketball team might be capable of doing if the offense and defense ever get going on the same night.
In Tuesday's 55-43 Wamac Conference victory over Clear Creek Amana, it was a night for the defense.
The Indians mustered just one field goal through the first 10 minutes of the contest, but a pesky, pressing defense left the visiting Clippers feeling out of sync and eventually out of luck.
Marion (10-3, 10-1) forced 29 turnovers and numerous rushed shots by CCA. After trailing 11-5 after one quarter, the Indians turned up the defense to take control.
"I thought we really did a nice job of helping in the post," O'Donnell said. "We've talked about having nights like tonight when the ball just isn't going in. We had four or five great drives that just didn't go down.
"Our defensive effort was good for four quarters tonight, especially inside against their two talented posts."
Early on, the Clippers (4-11, 3-9) went inside to junior Maliah Fligg, who notched a pair of early baskets and got two quick fouls on Indian center Alyssa Jones.
With Jones in foul trouble, O'Donnell turned to talented freshman Michalyn Mohr, who made her presence felt, especially on the defensive end. She finished with 10 points, but it was her defensive effort that had O'Donnell smiling.
"She's such an athletic girl," said the Marion coach. "You can put her on the front of the press and she causes problems. You can put her on the back of the press and she protects the rim.
"She did so many little things for us tonight," continued O'Donnell. "She got her hands on so many passes and it wasn't just steals, it was tips and deflections that threw off their offensive rhythm."
With Mohr anchoring the defense, the more experienced members of the Marion roster got the offense going in a second quarter that saw Marion outscore CCA, 21-8. Seniors Dani Peyton and Allison Scott, along with junior Beth Knapp took the ball to the basket and forced CCA into fouling. The Indians made 10 of 12 foul shots in the period and finished 20 of 25 overall.
The defense continued in the second half as Marion's lead grew as large as 21 at one point. CCA made a late charge as senior Caitlin Wnek found the range from beyond the arc, but the Clippers were never able to draw closer than the final 12-point margin.
Peyton paced a balanced Indian attack with 13 points. Knapp, like Mohr, finished with 10 points.
Fligg was the only Clipper in double figures, finishing with 10 points. CCA's other talented post player, freshman Hannah Stokes, was held to one basket.
Although pleased with the defensive effort, O'Donnell knows there is still work to be done if the Indians are to make their mark in the postseason.
"There are still a lot of little things we need to work on," he said. "I was happy to see us scrapping for rebounds and loose balls. If you do that on a consistent basis, you will be in a lot of games."
CLEAR CREEK AMANA (43): Hannah Mougin 0 0-0 0, Tara Walls 3 3-4 9, Fran Strub 0 5-6 5, Hanna Stokes 1 0-0 2, Maliah Fligg 4 2-6 10, Megan Hall 1 3-6 5, Mallory Neubauer 1 0-0 3, Caitlin Wnek 3 1-2 9, Lexi Kinnnaird 0 0-0 0, Mallory Kinney 0 0-0 0. Totals 13 14-24 43.
MARION (55): Allison Scott 0 3-4 3, Jessie Kramer 2 0-0 4, Beth Knapp 2 6-9 10, Dani Peyton 4 5-5 13, Alyssa Jones 1 4-4 6, Michalyn Mohr 4 2-3 10, Amanda Sahm 3 0-0 6, Emi Banes 1 0-0 3, Brooke Cole 0 0-0 0, Elizabeth Deeney 0 0-0 0. Totals 17 20-25 55.
Halftime - Marion 36, CCA 19. 3-point goals - CCA 3 (Wnek 2, Neubauer), Marion 1 (Banes 1).
