Stepping up STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KENIGSBERG Hannah Jones of the Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins heads toward the basket in the Jan. 11 game against Falls City. The Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins' 68-54 victory over the Falls City Beavers Jan. 11 showed that the Lady Marlins "can play with anyone in the region," said Randy Henderson, the Lady Marlins'coach.

"The thing that I am most proud of is that we outscored Falls City in the first half with (Lady Marlin) Lia Phillips unable to play but four minutes because of foul trouble," Henderson said. "The girls all stepped up their play to make up for our floor leader's absence, which is a great sign of our maturity and intelligence."

Lady Marlin Elaine Franco moved to point guard position when Lia Phillips went out.

"We are very fortunate to have an experienced guard like Elaine that can play multiple positions," Henderson said.

Lia Phillips came back in the game in the second half and ended up with 13 points to be the team's secondhighest scorer.

STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KENIGSBERG Over and under Kelsey Ortiz of the Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins JV finds a way under a Falls City High School defender. The Lady Marlins JV lost, 35-45, in the first district game of the season. Overall, the Lady Marlins' stats weren't especially impressive, but the players did a lot of significant things that didn't show up in the box score.

"Hannah Jones played her best post defense of the year," Henderson said. "Sarah Pate hit a huge three-pointer to tie the game at the end of the first quarter."

Emily Scott, Rachael Phillips, Kathy Ashley and Rebecca Armanovs also hit important baskets in the first half.

"Meredith Berry hustled her way to three jump balls, which helped us gain possessions," Henderson said.

"Katelin Dupnik was aggressive to the basket, causing Falls City to foul her on numerous occasions," the coach said. "I think this was Katelin's best all-around game of the year."

SCORING BY QUARTERS

INDIVIDUAL SCORING: SCOTT, 6; ASHLEY, 11; PATE, 3; L. PHILLIPS, 13; ARMANOVS, 4; FRANCO, 2; JONES, 7; R. PHILLIPS, 3; DUPNIK, 19.

THREE POINTERS: SCOTT, 1; ASHLEY, 3; PATE, 1; R. PHILLIPS, 1.

REBOUNDS: ASHLEY, 3; PATE, 2; BERRY, 2; L. PHILLIPS, 1; ARMANOVS, 4; FRANCO, 4; JONES, 5; DUPNIK, 7.

STEALS: ASHLEY, 2; PATE, 1; BERRY, 2; L. PHILLIPS, 3; FRANCO, 3; JONES, 2; R. PHILLIPS, 4; DUPNIK, 1.

ASSISTS: ASHLEY, 2; FRANCO, 3; JONES, 2; R. PHILLIPS, 4; DUPNIK, 1.