Article By Steven Hendrixson
Over the course of a full week, the Lady Cubs 7th Grade basketball team competed in the annual LEIC tournament, this time hosted in Oblong, Illinois. They started their tournament run Saturday, October 24th, against 5th-seeded Casey. The Lady Cubs came out on top with a convincing 38-14 victory, giving the team a strong start and moving them one step closer to the championship game.
Marshall faced a tougher challenge Monday when it took on Robinson, the number one ranked team heading into the tournament. It was a close game from beginning to end, with neither team able to pull away. The score was tied 34-34 at the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime. The Lady Cubs stepped up when it mattered most, just edging out the Maroons 39-34 to punch their ticket to the championship game Wednesday against Paris Mayo. Charlotte Stafford led Marshall with 16 points. Harper Downey and Sadie Claypool added 7 points each, while Regan McConchie and Maylee Bayes both finished with 4 points. Parker Morey rounded out the scoring total with 1 point.
In the championship game, it was all Marshall’s game from start to finish, winning the championship in a massive 35-13 blowout win against Paris Mayo. The team built a big enough lead to start a running clock with a whole nine minutes left in the 4th. Charlotte Stafford once again led the squad in scoring with 12 points. Regan McConchie added nine, while Carrigan Crumrin and Maylee Bayes each added in 6. Bristol Thompson scored 2 points.
If this tournament win says anything, it has proven that this Lady Cub’s team can stick with the best in competitive play when it matters most. We should expect great things from this squad come postseason.
Marshall will host Robinson this Monday at 6 PM.