Dee-fense! Nathan Pahany of the Brundrett Middle School eighth graders’ team puts up a strong defense during a game against Falls City. STAFF PHOTO BY MARNIE PATE Speed and a physical ball game overcame the Brundrett Middle School Marlins eighth-graders on a trip to Falls City on Monday, Dec. 5, said coach Brian Flack.

“We were not used to playing at that speed and being that physical,” Flack said. “We hung in there for a while, but foul trouble got to us.”

The Marlins were down 11-18 at the half and ended up on the low end of the 42- 26 final score. Falls City took an early 9-3 lead in the first quarter and the Marlins never completely caught up.

Hank Brennan put in 10 points to lead the Marlins and was the only double-digit shooter. Connally Waight hit seven, Devon Byrd put in four, Nathan Pahany and Blake Roberson each hit two and Camron Collins got one point to round out the scoring.

The loss brings the Brundrett Marlins to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in district play.

The seventh-graders began “sluggish” and didn’t really start playing basketball until the second half, Flack said.

“By then, we had already dug the hole,” he said.

At the half, the Marlins trailed 10-19, and nearly even scoring in the second half wasn’t enough. The final score was 32-22.

Kyle Jones put in nine to lead the scoring, with Samuel May hitting seven, Ben Milligan putting in four and Devin Pate getting two points.

The seventh-graders are 1-2 overall and 1-1 in district play.