STAFFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER Flying high Port Aransas High School Marlin Jason Ardoin leaps high to grab a rebound during the Marlins' homecoming game against the Woodsboro High School Eagles. The Port Aransas High School Marlins pumped up their winning district record by soundly beating Woodsboro, 48-38, on Friday, Jan. 25.

The victory gave the Marlins a 3-1 district record. And it made for a perfect homecoming at PAHS, with Marlins and Lady Marlins winning all three of the games played that night.

(Results of the Marlins JV game lie below, on this page; results of the Lady Marlins game are on page 6A. No girls JV game was played at homecoming.)

The Marlins' win over the Woodsboro Eagles was marked by a strong defense.

"Our effort and hustle on defense and the boards was the key to this important district win," said Paul Patteson, coach of the Marlins.

The Marlins prevented Woodsboro from shooting any better than 35 percent from the field and forced the Eagles into turnovers early in the game.

"Offensively, we were able to attack the basket and force Woodsboro into foul trouble, which gave us the advantage," Patteson said.

Leading the charge STAFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER Reid Copeland of the Port Aransas High School Marlins drives down court against the Woodsboro High School Eagles. Drake Sawyer was a catalyst for victory early in the ball game.

"His energy and hustle gave us the early lead," Patteson said. "Combined with the play of Cody (Collins) and Matt (White) on the defensive end, we were able to keep the Eagles from mounting an offensive attack."

Also making important contributions was Zack Merrill, who provided some important buckets.

Coming off the bench, Jason Ardoin and Joseph Shrier showed some solid play. They were "a huge factor in controlling the pace of the game," Patteson said. SCORING BY QUARTERS

STAFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER Go, Marlins! Hattie Longanecker, 6, waves pom-poms during the Port Aransas High School Marlins' homecoming game against Woodsboro.

INDIVIDUAL SCORING: MERRILL, 8; REID COPELAND, 3; SHRIER, 1; COLLINS, 4; SAWYER, 12; WHITE, 11; RYAN PHILLIPS, 4; ARDOIN, 5.