Flyers win big over Panthers

MARIA STEIN - Outscoring Parkway 20-5 in the third quarter, Marion Local pulled away from the Panthers for a 67-36 victory in the regular season finale Thursday night at the Hangar.

The Flyers more than tripled their offensive output from a 53-22 loss at Fort Loramie just two nights earlier.

"I reiterated it to all the girls that everyone needs to step up and shoot more," Marion Local coach Beth Streib said. "I went back and looked through some stats, and when some of our guards shot it more than 10 times, that's when we were winning. When they don't shoot, it's real easy to guard Emily (Mescher) inside."

The Flyers came out shooting and jumped out to a 12-1 lead. After going nearly seven minutes without a field goal, the Panthers came roaring back.

Parkway's Bailey Bates closed out the first quarter with a trey and Alisa Grey bombed a three-pointer early in the second quarter to cut Marion's lead to 15-11.

However, the Flyers closed out the first half with a 19-10 run to open up a 34-21 lead at intermission.

Marion Local was just 2-of-10 beyond the arc in the first half, but the Flyers owned the offensive glass with numerous second and third chance opportunities.

Marion Local outrebounded Parkway 25-9 in the first half and 44-25 for the game.

"That's just all effort," Streib said. "Rebounding is about effort. If you hustle after that ball, you're going to get a chance to shoot and score."

The Flyers shot over 60 percent from the floor in the third quarter. Parkway did not help itself with seven turnovers in the period as the game slipped away with a 54-26 Marion lead heading into the final eight minutes.

Nine different players scored in a very balanced Marion Local attack. Mescher, Macey Griesdorn and Natalie Rethman led the way with 11 each. Jessie Kramer contributed in double figures with 10, while Allie Prueter was close behind with 9. Mescher also led her team in rebounding with 14.

Sophomore Haley Hawk paced the Panthers with 11 points and eight rebounds.

Parkway finishes the regular season at 7-15 overall and 0-9 in the Midwest Athletic Conference. The Panthers open tournament play Tuesday in the Division III sectional at Wapakoneta against Van Buren at 7 p.m.

Thursday's win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Flyers who finish the regular season at 11-11 overall and 3-6 in the MAC.

Marion Local opens its second season Wednesday against Hardin Northern beginning at 6:15 p.m. in the Division IV Sectional at Allen East High School.

"I'm hoping this game will give us some confidence and get us rolling," Streib added. "We're 11-11, but if we get our confidence rolling, we can be dangerous. We have no pressure on us like last year. We just have to go out and play, have fun and whatever happens, happens."