Article and Photos by T Ray Henry
On Monday, February 9th, the Marshall High School girls basketball team traveled to Albion to play a non-conference doubleheader against former LIC foe Edwards County High School. The two schools, who both have Lions as their nickname and mascot, were members of the Little Illini Conference from 1996 until 2016. When the LIC absorbed half of the Apollo Conference (Richland County - Olney, Robinson, Newton, and Paris), Edwards County left the LIC to join the Black Diamond Conference. Marshall came into the game with a record of 13-9 on the season, while Edwards County, ranked #10 in IHSA Class 1A, came in with a record of 22-4.
After Marshall’s junior varsity squad played their best game of the season in defeating Edwards County 41- , the varsity squad from Edwards turned the tables on Marshall, winning the varsity game to gain a split. In the JV game, Lilly Ross and Nya Engledow each connected on five three-pointers. Ross led the team with 17 points, while Engledow finished with 15. McKenzie Davis scored 7 points, and Aria Ogle added 2.
As a team, Marshall’s junior varsity squad sank more three-point field goals (10) than two-point field goals (5). When Edwards County made a run in the fourth quarter, Marshall dug deep and kept draining threes to keep the Clark County Lions out in front to the finish. Final score: Marshall 41, Edwards County 32.
In the varsity matchup, Marshall’s Lions struggled with being unable to dictate the pace of play against the taller Lions from Edwards County. Once Marshall fell steadily behind on the scoreboard, the squad worked on aspects of their game to prepare for the upcoming state tournament. Even when the game’s outcome was no lo in doubt, Edwards County continued to deploy a full-court press, which Marshall did a great job of breaking easily to score transition points. When a running clock was instituted in the fourth quarter, Marshall outscored Edwards County down the stretch to leave the floor on a positive note.
Lynn Welborn and Marlee Heighton each led Marshall in scoring with 18 points apiece. Harper Richardson joined Welborn and Heighton in double figures by scoring 11. Ella Mattas had 5, Lilly Ross had 3, while Addy Ross and Kyla Gustafson each had 2.
Other Highlights:
Rebounds - Welborn 10, Mattas 6, Richardson 3, A. Ross 3
Steals - Welborn 3, Richardson 2, Engledow 2
Assists - Richardson 4, Engledow 4, Heighton 3
Blocks - Mattas 1, Welborn 1
Marshall (12-10) returns to action Tuesday, February 10th when the Lions travel to Palestine Elementary School to take on Oblong-Palestine-Hutsonville in a non-conference doubleheader. The junior varsity game tips off at 6:00 PM, with the varsity game to follow.
Marshall's Addy Ross (12) stuffs Edwards County's Lola Nussmeyer at the basket
Marlee Heighton drops in 2 of her 18 points against Edwards County
Lilly Ross (22) dialed up five three-pointers on her way to scoring 17 points in the JV game against Edwards County
Nya Engledow hit five triples for 15 points in the JV win over Edwards County
