Driving Kelsey Ortiz, of the Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins, drives past an Odem Lady Owls defender during the team’s first home game on Friday, Nov. 12. The Lady Marlins won, 45-39. STAFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER The Lady Marlins followed up a season-opening win on the road with a victory to open their home season when they defeated the Odem Lady Owls in two games on Friday, Nov. 12. The varsity girls took a 45-39 victory, and the junior varsity walked away with a 42-22 win.

“We started a little slow but worked to get a lead by the end of the first quarter,” coach Stephanie Cowen reported. “I think the adrenaline was pumping early from it being our home opener, and it had us shaken a bit. We had great crowd support, and I think that really helped us in the end.”

Cowen singled out Kalani Balcom for her defensive work and Tarryn Murray for her job at the scoring end of the court.

Up for the shot! Savanna Nixon, of the Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins, takes a shot during the first home game of the year, on Friday, Nov. 12, against Odem High School. STAFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER “(Balcom) was given a very difficult defensive assignment, and she really helped change the direction of the game in the third quarter,” Cowen said.

Murray was the leading scorer and the only player in double digits, with 15.

“Our kids are still learning the value of a rebound. We are getting beat on the boards, and that is putting us in tighter game situations,” she said.

“The most important thing,” she added, “is that we found a way to win in a tough situation.”

LEADING SCORERS: MURRAY, 15; CHELSEA PEREZ, 7; SAVANNAH ORTIZ AND SAVANNA NIXON, 6; SAMANTHA RICHARDSON AND KELSEY ORTIZ, 4; ANNA ROBERSON, 2; BALCOM, 1. Score by Quarters

Stretch! Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins JV player Kellie Owens stretches an arm for a loose ball during a game against Odem High School on Friday, Nov. 12. STAFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER