The Port Aransas High School Lady Marlins took home the consolation prize from the Medina High School tournament, held Dec. 16-18. Team members are, from left, Anna Roberson, Savannah Ortiz, Tarryn Murray, Kelsey Ortiz (in front), Savanna Nixon, Chelsea Perez, Kalani Balcom and Samantha Richardson. Not pictured is coach Stephanie Cowen. COURTESY PHOTO BY CHRISTIE ORTIZ The Lady Marlins went calling for the Medina Tournament Dec. 16-18 and came home with the consolation trophy, beating San Antonio Stacey and the Floresville junior varsity, but dropping their opening game to Comfort.

Kelsey Ortiz, however, was honored by being named to the All-Tournament team.

Coach Stephanie Cowen reported that the ladies handled a sizeable Comfort team well, and that the game was close all the way – in fact, was still tied with three minutes to play.

“Down the stretch, we made some mistakes and put them on the free throw line,” Cowen reported. “ Comfort made free throws while we struggled from the line, which opened up the score and allowed them to win.”

Kelsey Ortiz made all-tourney at the Medina tournament. Kalani Balcom and Tarryn Murray shared scoring honors with eight apiece. Chelsea Perez put in four, Savannah Ortiz hit three and Kelsey Ortiz and Anna Roberson each scored two.

Scoring by Quarters

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PA 9611127

CHS 88101036

In the second game Friday, the Lady Marlins came up against San Antonio Stacey. The Port Aransas scoring improved after a lackluster first half, allowing them to come away with a 57-52 victory.

“We came out flat and got beat in transition frequently,” Cowen reported. “We were down by as many as 17 in the first half. At halftime, we regrouped and began to chip away at the lead. We made some adjustments and the kids really responded well. We were able to score in transition and our press caused some turnovers at key points.”

Murray led the scoring with 22, followed by Savannah Ortiz with 11. Perez put in nine, Kelsey Ortiz hit seven, Savanna Nixon put in six and Balcom hit two to round out the scoring.

Scoring by Quarters

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PA 11 12 18 16 57

SAS 22 13 10 7 52

In the consolation game Saturday, the Lady Marlins went up against the junior varsity team from the 4A Floresville Tigers and came up winners, 56-51.

“They were a very quick team with a number of perimeter shooters,” Cowen said. “Again, we got down early and were down nine in the second quarter. Once again, we came out and handled their pressure well and played a much smarter second half.”

Cowen credited improved shooting from the free throw line with sealing the win over Floresville.

Kelsey Ortiz was the leading scorer with 14, with Murray close behind at 13 points. Nixon rounded out the doubledigit scorers with 10 while Savannah Ortiz hit seven, Roberson put in six, Perez hit four and Balcom put in two.

Cowen pointed out that the Lady Marlins trailed in their final two games before coming from behind to win.

“I don’t want to make it a habit,” Cowen said.

However, she added, “I love the way we fought back in the last two games. This is something that this team hasn’t done in the past. In the past, we would try to make up the entire deficit in one play. Now, we have learned to chip away at it, and we are becoming more successful. They are really showing their competitive nature. We can’t wait until the second half to begin playing, but I love that with this team we never feel out of a game.”

She also pointed to balanced scoring throughout the tournament, a factor in improving overall team performance.

The tournament brings the Lady Marlins to a 12-7 record for the season.

Scoring by Quarters

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PA 8 17 12 19 56

FHS 13 19 8 11 51