STAFF PHOTO BY KAREN COLLINS High-flying Nick Benavidez of the Port Aransas High School Marlins takes a big jump between Banquete Bulldog players in a Dec. 18 game. A solid basketball game was almost – but not quite – enough to bring the Marlins home with a victory against a perennial playoff team, the 3A Aransas Pass Panthers.

The Marlins were down 11 at the half after giving up a 17-8 lead in the first quarter, but outscored their hosts 16-2 in the third period to lead by 3 points going into the final quarter. A 25-12 deficit in the last quarter put the game out of reach, however, with the Marlins ending up on the low side of the 48-58 final.

Coach Paul Patteson complimented his squad for coming back in the second half with “a lot of energy on the defensive end.”

“Mac Owens and Kevin Sikes sparked our third-quarter rally to give us the lead going into the fourth. We continued to battle and with four minutes left had a 2-point lead. However, it was not to be,” he said.

In control STAFF PHOTO BY KAREN COLLINS Port Aransas High School Marlins JV player John Amundsen handles the ball against Banquete opponents Dec. 18. Patteson credited solid defense on the part of the Panthers with holding down the Marlins’ score, as well as hitting seven of eight free throws.

“Mac Owens was a monster on the boards, grabbing 18 rebounds and scoring 12 points,” Patteson said. “Dillon Martin was also tough inside, grabbing 9 boards. The defense, led by Sikes, Zach Ainscough and Christian Collins, helped keep the Marlins going.”

Patteson said the squad will continue to improve as the season goes on, and will continue to play tough opponents.

Sikes led the scoring with 15, including three 3-pointers, followed by Owens’ 12 for the Port Aransas double digits. Tyler Pate put in 9, Collins hit 4, Ainscough and Martin hit 3 apiece and Nick Benavidez hit 2.

Scoring by quarters

Look for the Marlins to take on Karnes City in Doyle Marek Gym on Tuesday, Dec. 29.