CHARLESTON — Saturday’s Class 2A girls basketball lower state championship game truly proved one player can make a difference.
With her team holding a four-point, fourth-quarter lead against Marion, Bishop England’s Mallory Molony fouled out.
The Swamp Foxes took advantage of Molony’s absence en route to playing for a second straight state championship with a 77-70 victory over the Battling Bishops at The Citadel’s McAlister Field House.
Marion will face Southside, a 52-49 winner over Eau Claire, at the Colonial Life Center in Columbia on Saturday.
“I think (our experience) helped because they’ve been there,” Marion coach Leon Sturkey said. “Bishop England is talented with a lot of heart, and we’re fortunate to get a win.”
Bishop England coach Paul Runey was proud of his team’s effort after losing its all-time leading scorer.
“I knew we were an underdog, but these girls know they can play with anybody now,” he said. “When a team loses their best scorer, they go into the tank. Those girls didn’t do that, but Marion’s too good.
“Most of the girls stepped up (after Molony’s departure). We were Battling Bishops. We just fell short.”
Leading 57-53 at the 7:25 mark of the fourth, Molony picked up her fifth foul trying to strip Marion’s Geneika Brantley of the ball. The Swamp Foxes capitalized by going inside to Brantley and Candace Wright for easy baskets against the shorthanded Battling Bishops.
“(Molony’s departure) was the key,” Sturkey said. “When she fouled out, it took away (Bishop England’s) post presence. We were able to get the ball inside to Geneika and Candace and get points.”
Brantley (26 points, 20 rebounds) and Wright (21 points, 16 rebounds) each finished with double-doubles to lead Marion. Amira Timmons followed with 10 points.
“Those girls are good,” Runey said of Marion’s duo. “That’s why they won the state title last year.”
After the game, Runey was second-guessing himself about having Molony in the game after she picked up her third foul in the second quarter and when she had four fouls early in the fourth.
“I thought about (keeping Molony on the bench),” said Runey, whose team finishes 21-4. “Marion made a move every time Mallory went out. They go for the jugular when they get a lead.
“Yeah, the fouls hurt. If I could do it again, I would have kept her on the bench.”
Molony paced four players in double figures with 21 points, 16 in the third quarter. Amber Corbett and Katelyn Grisillo scored 15 and 12 points, respectively.
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