Marion girls win state title

COLUMBIA — After the lower state championship, Marion coach Leon Sturkey put an emphasis on free throw shooting in practice, thinking it might prove big in the Class 2A title game.

It turned out to be one of the reasons why the Swamp Foxes left Columbia on Saturday hauling a shiny new piece of hardware.

SLIDESHOW

Morning News photographer Angela E. Kershner catches all the action from the sidelines of the game at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia.

Despite blowing an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Swamp Foxes hit 13 of their 20 shots from the foul line to pull out a 58-54 win over Pendleton in the Class 2A girls state championship at Colonial Life Arena.

The win is the first state title for Marion since integration. It is the Swamp Foxes’ eighth title overall, with the last coming in 1955.

“I’m elated for those girls in that locker room,” Sturkey said. “It was a game of runs, and even at the end when we were down, they kept their focus and stayed with it. They really deserve it.“

But unlike most of Marion’s games this season, this one came down to wire. Marion held a 47-36 lead early in the fourth quarter before the Bulldogs went on an 18-5 to

take a 54-52 advantage with 1:16 remaining.

“We were nervous,” Shaquita Taylor said of her team.

“But with the game on the line, we had to pull together and play as a team. We started playing better defense and got some fouls and made the shots count.”

Amber Timmons’ free throws tied the game with 1:08 left. A couple turnovers and two missed Marion free throws later, Pendleton had a chance to win the game.

But the Bulldogs handed the ball back to Marion with 22.8 seconds left.

After a foul, Candace Wright took care of the rest.

The sophomore sank both free throws to give the Swamp Foxes a 56-54 lead with 18.7 seconds remaining.

“With the crowd noise and everything going on, it was complicated,” Wright said. “But I just put my mind to it and blocked everything else out.“

Geneika Brantley, the Swamp Foxes’ leading rebounder, came down with the biggest one of her career a few moments later as Pendleton’s last shot found its way into her open arms.

“Once she got it, she wasn’t letting go of it,” Sturkey said. “I watched her catch it and thought, ‘Wow. State champs.’”

“I watched it come down and was like, ‘Man, is this really happening?’” Brantley said. “It feels so amazing. We played hard all year and came out on top at the end.”

If the rebound didn’t seal it, Brantley’s two free throws did as the Swamp Foxes took to the court after the final seconds ticked off.

“I’m happy for this team, these girls, the school and the community,” Sturkey said. “It’s been a long time coming.”

Wright led Marion (24-2) with 18 points and Brantley had 12.

Taylor finished with 16 points, including 13 in the first half.

“I thought she really kept us in there the first half,” Sturkey said of Taylor. “We were down a little, and who knows what would have happened if they had gotten a bigger lead. She hit some critical baskets for us.”

Charlee Earle led Pendelton (22-6) with 15 points followed by Modina Scott with 10.

MARION 58, PENDLETON 54
Marion (58)
Grant 5, Taylor 16, Timmons 7, Wright 18, Brantley 12.
Pendleton (54)
Adger 8, Williams 7, Scott 10, Martin 3, Earle 15, Blakley 9, Moon 2.