They’re the champs! STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KENIGSBERG The Lady Marlins kept the Marlin Classic championship trophy at home. The tournament, held Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 19-21, saw the Lady Marlins up their record to 6-0. Team members are, from left, Reba Armanovs, Chelsea Perez, tournament MVP Tarryn Murray, Anna Roberson, Emily Scott, Rachael Phillips, Katelin Dupnik, Abby Kenigsberg and Kalani Balcom. Port Aransas’ Lady Marlins emerged at the top of the heap from last week’s Marlin Classic Tournament held in Port Aransas, with a 4-0 tournament record.

Banquete took second place in the tourney, with Sinton in third place. Kenedy and McMullen County also played in the tournament.

Coach Stephanie Cowen said the tournament was valuable experience for the team. “We need to be in these difficult games. It will help us prepare for district.”

Indeed, in the second game Thursday, Nov. 19, the Lady Marlins took the Sinton Lady Pirates by only three field goals, 56-50, and in the final game of the tournament they won 45-43 over the Banquete Lady Bulldogs.

STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KENIGSBERG Spoiler Varsity Lady Marlin Katelin Dupnik spoils an Aransas Pass defenders efforts to stop the shot on Monday, Nov. 23. The Lady Marlins won, 660- 28. “We knew that the evening game against Sinton would be a challenge for us,” Cowen said. “They have size that we have not seen yet, and that hurt us early.”

Cowen said the Lady Marlins let the Sinton height change their shots, putting them at a 22-9 deficit at the end of the first quarter.

However, coaches pointed out to players the need to get back in the game. Katelin Dupnik led that effort with 20 points from the floor and 10 for 11 from the free throw line.

STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KENIGSBERG MVP Lady Marlin Tarryn Murray was named MVP of the Marlin Classic. Rachael Phillips contributed “some well-timed 3-pointers” to put the Lady Marlins within four points by the start of the fourth quarter, and Tarryn Murray (the tournament’s most valuable player) dropped in 15 points in the second half to contribute to the win.

“I was so proud of the way our kids competed,” Cowen said. “They were not going to be beat, and we found a way to win. I’m sure this win will be a game we reference many times during the season.” PA 9 14 18 25 56 SHS 22 10 13 5 50

The final game pitted the Lady Marlins, at 3-0, against Banquete, also undefeated during the tournament.

“Early in the ball game, Katelin (Dupnik) went down with an ankle injury, and it forced other players to step up,” Cowen said. “Emily Scott has continued to improve at the point guard position. She is limiting turnovers and getting us in our sets, and that was key against a team as good as Banquete.”

STAFF PHOTO BY STEPHANIE KENIGSBERG Lady driver JV Lady Marlin Nickie Samudio drives past an AP defender on Monday, Nov. 23. Dupnik was able to return to the court in the second half, giving teammates a lift with her ball handling and experience.

“We knew (Banquete) would make a run, and they did in the fourth quar- ter,” Cowen said. “We were able to pull out the victory, 45-43.”

Cowen also credited Reba Armanovs’ defensive play and perimeter threat with contributing throughout the tournament.

“We learned so much about our team this weekend, and our team has improved so much in these four games,” she said.

Scoring by Quarters

Rounding out the tournament were games gainst Kenedy and McMullen County with scoring as follows.

Port Aransas vs. McMullen County