It wasn’t easy: A hostile court, a single referee and away from home. But the Marlins still managed to squeeze past Austwell-Tivoli’s Redfish, 71-69, on Tuesday, Nov. 23.

Up, up and away! Port Aransas High School Marlins player Tyler Pate fires off a jump shot during a game against McMullen County High School. STAFF PHOTO BY KAREN COLLINS Port Aransas had to work to hold the Redfish to only seven points in the final period, and they had to come from behind for the win, trailing 57-62 at the end of the third quarter, but the game still goes in the W column.

Andrew Groseclose drew praise from coach Joe Kocurek for his defense, despite the team’s giving up 69 points – 41 of them to one player, Garek Duarez.

Tyler Pate led the scoring with 29 points, 15 of which were threepointers. Mac Owens followed with 15 points; Caleb Rogers and Tanner Merrill each had nine; Dillon Martin scored four, Storm Bales hit three and Thomas Winton put in two to round out the Marlins scoring. Of those, besides Pate’s five from outside the circle, Rogers and Bales each hit one three-pointer.

Up and over Dillon Martin of the Port Aransas High School Marlins shoots over the heads of the opposition during a game against Austwell- Tivoli. STAFF PHOTO BY KAREN COLLINS Merrill also helped with 16 rebounds as the Marlins dominated the inside game, and hitting six of seven from the free throw line – much better than previous averages – also helped with the victory.

The Marlins are now 5-1 on the season and face the possibility of a rematch against their Division II 1A rivals during the Redfish Classic in Austwell-Tivoli, Dec. 9-11.

Scoring by Quarters
	1	2	3	4	F
PA	14	23	20	14	71
A-T	13	26	23	7	69

Huddling Brundrett Middle School eighth-grade boys huddle with their coach, Brian Flack, during a game against Incarnate Word Academy on Monday, Nov. 29. COURTESY PHOTO BY JANETTE GRAHAM