Coming through STAFF PHOTO BY KAREN COLLINS Marlin varsity player Zach Ainscough makes his way around an Ingleside defender during the Ingleside Tournament last weekend. The Marlins learned valuable lessons in the competition against some tough teams. The Marlins had a tough weekend.

The boys went to Ingleside for a tournament and ended losing all four games.

“Poor shooting and turnovers have hampered our success,” coach Paul Patteson summed up.

The Marlins led off against Ingleside, a powerful 3A team, and were outscored in each of four quarters. At the half, the Mustangs led 29-14 and ended up on the winning end of the 61-30 score.

Tyler Pate led the Marlins’ scoring with 11, followed by Kevin Sikes with 9. Mac Owens had 3, Zach Ainscough, Christian Collins and Dillon Martin had 2 each and Nick Benavidez hit for 1.

Scoring by quarters

STAFF PHOTO BY MARNIE PATE Pate for two Varsity Marlin Tyler Pate rises above a crowd of Ingleside defenders to score two. The Marlins followed up with a game against Kingsville, making the final much closer, 46-57. The boys made it a close game for the first half, closing on top of the Brahmas 26-22. However, they were unable to keep up during the second half, being outscored 35-20.

Sikes hit 16, followed by Pate with 11 for the Marlins’ double-digit scoring. Owens had 9, Collins had 4 and Ainscough, Benavidez and Andrew Groseclose each had 2 points. Scoring by quarters
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The second day of the tournament, the boys faced Moody High School from Corpus Christi, putting forth a good effort on defense, but again falling short in the scoring column.

Ainscough was the only player in double digits, with 10. Martin picked up 8, Collins had 4, Sikes hit 2 and Pate had 1 to round out the scoring.

“Day two was better on turnovers and defense. Our effort was outstanding,” Patteson said. “However, shooting again kept us from beating Moody.”

For the final game, the Marlins met Orange Grove.

Scoring in each of the quarters wasn’t widely spread, but it was enough to keep the Marlins out of the win column with a 40-62 defeat.

Pate was the lone double-digit scorer with 11 points, followed by Collins with 6 and Owens and Groseclose with 4 each. Chase Chambers and Ainscough each hit 3 and Scott Willey and Martin hit 2 apiece. Scoring by quarters

“We need to be more consistent on the offensive end. When you shoot the ball poorly and give your opponent extra possessions, you will have a tough time,” Patteson noted.

However, he added, “Our defense overall has been solid, holding our opponents to around 35 percent shooting, which means we have the ability to fix some of our miscues.”

The junior varsity Marlins will be in Sinton tonight, Thursday, Dec. 17, and Saturday, Dec. 19, for the Sinton JV tournament. The varsity takes the court at home against Banquete tomorrow.