Holton Girls Basketball Sub-State

In the first game of the Class 4A-DII girls sub-state basketball tournament here Thursday night, Clay Center advanced by defeating Rock Creek, 50-21, and Marysville advanced by defeating Holton, 56-45.

The Marysville girls went on to win the sub-state by beating Clay Center, 44-41, on Saturday.

The Lady Wildcats started off their game strong against Marysville, by outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 23-17 at halftime.

Senior Sarah Lierz hit a three-pointer to put the Wildcats on the scoreboard. Senior Shay Tanking and sophomore Sarah Holaday also hit early buckets for the Wildcats and senior Maleah Price hit a free throw.

The Bulldogs went on a 7-0 scoring run but Holton still led at the end of the first quarter, 11-9.

Marysville took its first lead, 13-11, early in the second quarter, but free throws by junior Lauryn Moore put Holton back ahead, 15-14, and freshman Saydee Tanking hit a basket, too.

Marysville took the lead back, 17-15, by Shay Tanking hit a three and Moore made two more free throws. At halftime, Holton led 23-17, despite committing 11 turnovers in the game and making about 7 of 20 field goals.

Marysville, in the meantime, had eight turnovers in the first half and made about 7 of 25 field goals.

In the second half, Marysville came out guns blazing and outscored the Lady Cats, 39-22.

The Bulldogs regained the lead early in the third quarter, going on a 9-2 scoring run, before baskets by the Tankings and Moore tightened the score to 36-33 at the end of the third quarter.

The Bulldogs outscored the Wildcats 19-10 in third quarter.

Marsyville made the first two baskets of the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 40-33.

“We did not play our best especially in the second half,” said Holton head coach Jon Holliday. “We gave up 39 points in the second half.  There are many things I wish I would have done different. Hindsight is 20/20. We played hard but didn’t always make good basketball decisions. That is on me.’’

In spite of Holton’s third quarter scoring deficit, the Wildcats were still were in a position to compete.

“We thought we had their big in foul trouble and wanted to play inside out,” coach Holliday said. “We should have talked more about defense because we gave up two layups and a three pointer early in the third.”

“Marysville did a great job in the fourth quarter of getting to the rim and to the foul line,’’ coach Holliday added. “A total of 12 of Marysville’s fourth quarter points were from the line and the Lady Bulldogs made us pay every time, when we didn’t rotate defensively correctly.’’

“This group of seniors like a lot of seniors we have had the honor to coach was special,’’ coach Holliday said. “They come and practice hard everyday, they lead by example, and they compete day in, day out. We had few internal issues this year due to their leadership. They are great kids and are going to become successful adults because they understand what it takes. I am honored to have had the opportunity to be part of their lives.”

Holton seniors on the team this season included – Shay Tanking, Emma Reith, Sarah Lierz and Maleah Price.

Marysville 56, Holton 45

Holton – 11-12-10-12 – 45

Marysville – 9-8-19-20 – 56

Holton – S. Tanking 4 (3) 3-4 20, Moore 2 6-8 10, Sa. Tanking 2 2-2 6, Lierz 0 (1) 1-2 4, Holaday 2 0-0 4, Price 0 1-2 1. Totals 10 (4) 13-18 45.

Marysville – Pacha 4 (2) 5-6 19, Bartels 4 5-6 13, Franco 4 3-4 11, Denner 3 2-6 8, Roberts 0 (1) 0-1 3, Wright 1 0-0 2. Totals 16 (3) 15-23 56.