BOWLING GREEN/LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Marshall County basketball programs showed determination during weekend holiday tournament competition, with illness impacting both teams as they pursued victories across two different venues.
Lady Marshals Overcome Adversity at South Warren Tournament
Competing without starting floor general Jessica Reed, who missed action due to sickness, the Marshall County girls’ squad demonstrated depth throughout their South Warren High School tournament appearance.
The Lady Marshals dominated their Saturday opener, cruising past Owensboro by a 58-39 margin. Their undefeated start to the season ended in the day’s second contest when Franklin-Simpson claimed a narrow 39-35 triumph in a low-scoring defensive battle, handing Marshall County its first defeat and moving their record to 9-1. In an important statistic to this game, Franklin-Simpson was able to outshoot the Lady Marshals in Free Throws 15-2, making nine in the four point victory.
Sunday brought a convincing response as the Lady Marshals dismantled tournament host South Warren 60-29, completing pool play competition with two victories against one setback.
Standing at 10-1 for the season, Marshall County’s girls await bracket announcements for Monday’s championship round games in Bowling Green.
Boys’ Team Recovers from Overtime Loss in Lexington
The Marshals experienced the tournament’s highs and lows while competing in the White, Greer & Maggard Holiday Classic hosted in Lexington.
Saturday’s showdown between ranked Kentucky programs saw North Laurel claim a 59-56 extra-period victory over the Marshals. Marshall County competed without top scorer Matthew Langhi, who sat out the competitive overtime contest against the Jaguars due to illness.
Langhi returned to action Sunday afternoon as the Marshals controlled Paintsville 74-60, pulling away in the final period and converting critical free throws in the closing moments.
The victory elevated Marshall County’s record to 9-2 and earned them a Monday championship game against Great Crossing (4-6) of Lexington, the defending state titleholders. Tip-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Central. Both squads faced Caverna this season—the Marshals posted a victory over the Colonels during last weekend’s FNB Bank Marshall County Holiday Classic, while Great Crossing dropped a 63-51 decision to Caverna in the tournament’s first round.
The Hendrickson Wealth & Retirement Pregame Show begins at 11:55 a.m. Monday from Lexington, with updates from Bowling Green on WCBL Sports.
