Up for the shot Katelin Dupnik of the Lady Marlins goes up for a shot against a Calhoun opponent. Crab - an unconventional holiday dish, but one the Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins cooked up and devoured with gusto just four days before Christmas.

The Lady Marlins gobbled up the Calhoun High School Crabs of Port Lavaca, 73-29, during a game at Port Aransas High School on Friday, Dec. 21.

"Our performance against Port Lavaca was a great way to go into the Christmas break," said Randy Henderson, coach of the Lady Marlins.

"The girls did a great job of forcing turnovers and pushing the ball down the court on offense," Henderson said. "It was also the best performance so far this year of running our half-court offense."

The Lady Marlins' best stat of the day was sinking 24 of 29 free throws.

"A team can win a lot of games by shooting that many free throws at that percentage," Henderson said.

Lady Marlins guard Lia Phillips had her best game of the year, with 24 points, including five buckets from beyond the three-point line. She also had eight steals.

Hustle! Lia Phillips hustles for a loose ball during the game against Port Lavaca's varsity girls squad. Phillips had a big game, scoring 24 points. Staff photos by Stephanie Kenigsberg "Elaine Franco had another solid, all-around game," Henderson said. "Sarah Pate and Kathy Ashley were active on the boards, and Emily Scott and Rebecca Armanovs gave us a lift on the bench.

Meredith Berry also was a welcome presence, back in action after an injury.

POINTS BY QUARTER

INDIVIDUAL SCORING: SCOTT, 7; ASHLEY, 7; PATE, 4; BERRY, 4; L. PHILLIPS, 24; ARMANOVS, 6; FRANCO, 8; HANNAH JONES, 3; RACHAEL PHILLIPS, 2; KATELIN DUPNIK, 8.
THREE POINTERS: ASHLEY, 2; PHILLIPS, 5.
REBOUNDS: SCOTT, 1; ASHLEY, 6; PATE, 6; BERRY, 5; L. PHILLIPS, 5; ARMANOVS, 2; FRANCO, 8; JONES, 1; R. PHILLIPS, 2; DUPNIK, 5.

Time to huddle Port Aransas Lady Marlins coach Randy Henderson talks strategy with some of his players during a time-out in a game against the Calhoun High School Crabs. STEALS: SCOTT, 2; ASHLEY, 2; PATE, 1; L. PHILLIPS, 8; ARMANOVS, 2; FRANCO, 5; JONES, 2; DUPNIK, 2.

Up and over Lady Marlins JV player Abby Kenigsberg shoots against a Calhoun player. Race for the ball Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins guard Elaine Franco, foreground, lunges for a loose ball in a game against the Calhoun High School Crabs. Also in on the play is Meredith Berry of the Lady Marlins, background. Face off Lady Marlins guard Kathy Ashley faces off with a Calhoun High School player. Awaiting the outcome Lady Marlins JV teammates watch the game against Calhoun High School from the bench, along with coach Karen Hall. The Lady Marlins JV lost, 43-39.