Up for the shot STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KENIGSBERG Lady Marlin forward Katelin Dupnik elevates her play against the Yorktown Lady Wildcats on Friday, Jan. 16. The Lady Marlins tamed the

Wildcats.

The Port Aransas girls bested their Yorktown High School opponents, 51-38, in a game played at Doyle Marek Gym on Friday, Jan. 16.

"I thought we did a much better job in our half-court defense and rebounding the ball," said Stephanie Foerster, coach of the Lady Marlins.

"We knew what we were going to see from (the Lady Wildcats) and executed our plan on both ends," Foerster said. "I was extremely proud of our effort tonight."

The Lady Marlins started the game by jumping out to a 13-4 lead.

"That seemed to fuel our energy on both ends of the floor," Foerster said.

The Lady Marlins pressed and got some steals, leading to important scores.

The island girls led by a score of 29-17 at halftime, but Foerster said she felt certain Yorktown wasn't beaten yet.

"We knew they would make a run," the coach said. "They are too good of a team to just let you win."

Go, team! STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KENIGSBERG Pint-sized cheerleaders perform at a Jan. 16 game. Port Aransas High School cheerleaders conducted a clinic for the youngsters. Sure enough, Yorktown quickly reduced the Lady Marlins' lead to only six at one point in the third quarter.

"But we held our composure and retained the lead," Foerster said.

Lady Marlin scorers: Katelin Dupnik, 15; Hannah Jones, 12; Emily Scott, 11; Savanna Nixon, 5; Tarryn Murray, 4; Chelsea Perez, 2; and Meredith Berry, 2.

With the victory, the Lady Marlins' season record was 15-11 and 2-1 in district play.