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Marshall teams open with wins By BARRY BURLESON
Editor  | Photo by Barry Burleson
Jumper
Mitch Gholson (21) of Marshall shoots versus a pair of Cougars. |
Marshall Academy basketball teams blistered Lee (Marianna, Ark.) Monday, Nov. 1, to start the regular schedule. The
Lady Patriots, coming off a 2-1 showing in their own preseason
tournament, got off to a lackluster start but rolled over the Lady
Cougars 50-24. The MA girls trailed 7-4 midway
through the opening period but Lane Cunningham’s basket at the 1:20
mark gave them a lead they never relinquished. The lead was 12-7 after one quarter, 24-11 at the half and 38-18 following three periods. “We
were definitely slow out of the gate, but the girls finally got rolling
in the second quarter to put Lee away,” coach Craig Dailey said. “We
had opened with them (in the tournament) and handled them well. We
probably took them lightly early.” Callie Clanton gunned in 21 points. Cunningham followed with 11. “Callie
had another good offensive night,” he said. “She seems to be coming
into her own and offensive production was one of my pre-season worries
with this group. “Kelsey (Shaw) and Emma (Elgin) hit some big baskets to pull us away. “Lane
had an excellent game. I am so proud of her development; it shows what
hard work and dedication can do. She just needs to keep improving.” “This girls group has a chance to surprise some folks. We just have to keep on keeping on and see how good we can be.” The MA boys also got off to a slow start before scorching Lee 68-29 in their season opener. The
Pats railed 3-2 with 4:44 to go in the first quarter. But they surged
ahead 14-7 after one quarter, and in the second period Mitch Gholson,
Andy Burleson and Jordan Brock all drilled threes to stretch the
advantage to 34-16.  | Photo by Barry Burleson
Moving the basketball
Lane Cunningham of Marshall passes to a teammate versus Lee. |
“Lee isn’t our toughest
opponent, but this showing bodes well for when we have everyone,”
Dailey said. “I have four starters from the summer on the football
field. I believe my non-football players are going to push my others
and it ought to be a fun year. Practice should be wars.” Four Patriots scored in double digits, led by Gholson with 21. Brad Bennett had 15, Brock 12 and Burleson 10. “Mitch
was unconscious on offense,” Dailey said. “I am so proud of his
evolution as a player. He has done it the right way with hard work, He
is going to fill a big gap in our offensive perimeter play. “Brad had a good night. I knew he would help us offensive, but his defense has steadily improved since his arrival. “Jordan has played well all fall and is establishing himself as a major offensive factor. “Andy
has been on fire for the last two weeks. Perimeter shooting is an area
I really worried about from the summer work and pre-season. He has
proven to be capable of filling it up when left open.” The
MA girls hosted Tunica Academy Monday and the boys (WTC), a home school
team out of Memphis, Tenn. Tuesday, the Patriots and Lady Patriots
hosted Myrtle. They got Marvell (Ark.) Thursday. The boys only will
play in the Crossover Classic Saturday, Nov. 13, at Oxford. The
Patriots play Lewisburg at 2 p.m. Next Tuesday, Nov. 16, Marshall teams
host Hickory Flat. “Basketball is in high gear,” Dailey said. |
