Hustle! STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KENIGSBERG Meredith Berry, of the Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins, drives down court against a Jarrell player during the tournament Jarrell hosted Dec. 11-13. The Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins beat a bigger school's team, then lost two close games at a tournament in Jarrell, north of Austin, Dec. 11-13.

We are disappointed in the outcome of the tournament, but we are extremely pleased with the effort these girls are playing with during each game," said Stephanie Foerster, coach of the Lady Marlins.

"Our bench is starting to really contribute and make plays, and that will serve us well down the road," Foerster said.

The Lady Marlins' record is 9-9.

The island girls started the tournament with a 40-35 win over the larger Lyndon B. Johnson High School of Johnson City. Lyndon B. Johnson High School fields a 2-A team. The Lady Marlins are 1-A.

Lady Marlins scoring: Katelin Dupnik, 14; Meredith Berry, 11; Hannah Jones, 5; Savanna Nixon, 5; Emily Scott, 3; and Chelsea Perez, 2.

Leaping Lady Marlin STAFF STEPHANIE KENIGSBERG Hannah Jones of the Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins launches a jump shot during the Jarrell game. PAHS lost its next game, 36-43, falling to the Jarrell High School Lady Cougars.

"Although the Lady Marlins trailed most of the game, they were always in striking distance," Foerster said. "Jarrell had to work for their win."

Lady Marlins scoring: Jones, 12; Dupnik, 7; Scott, 5; Berry, 4; Nixon, 4; Reba Armanovs, 4.

Playing for third place in the tournament, the Lady Marlins next faced the Lady Lions of Granger.

A competitive game, Port Aransas trailed by only two points, 14-16, at half time. Dupnik hit a quick threepointer to put the Lady Marlins ahead as the third quarter began.

"The game went back and forth until Granger hit a big three to put them up by five," Foerster said. Final score: 35-28.

Lady Marlins scoring: Jones, 9; Dupnik, 7; Berry, 5; Perez, 5; Nixon, 2.

STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KENIGSBERG Power PAHS player Katelin Dupnik powers through the competition during the Jarrell game.