Heartbreaker

Leading the way Samantha Ortiz led the scoring for the Lady Marlins against Sabinal, putting in 16 points. It was a heartbreaker.

The Lady Marlins missed advancing to regional quarter finals by one point on

Thursday, Feb. 16, losing to Sabinal, 52-53, in the area playoff game in Three

Rivers.

“We knew coming into the game it would be very competitive,” coach Stephanie

Cowen confirmed.

“They have improved so much since we played them in December.”

Nevertheless, she said she was pleased at how the

Lady Marlins played.

“We got down early and came back to win the second and third quarters. At the end, we just gave them too many opportunities to stay in the game. We allowed them to shoot too many free throws and get back in the game without having to use any of the clock. Sabinal really controlled the tempo through the entire game.”

Cowen agreed that the loss was devastating, but said it also had its good side.

“Our girls have put so much into their season and to have it end this way hurts tremendously. However, I think these girls will remember it and it will motivate them to continue to improve for next season.”

Next season, the entire varsity will return except for senior Samantha Richardson, who will graduate this spring.

Down by six going into the second quarter, the Lady Marlins came back to a 27-27 tie at halftime and won the third period, 9-7, to lead as the game entered the final period.

They were outscored by three points in that last quarter, however, and that was the story of the game.

It gave the Port Aransas girls a 23-9 record for the season.

Savannah Ortiz led the scoring with 16 points, but Anna Roberson (13 points) and Madison Ray (10 points) were also in double digits. Devan Murray hit five and Missy Gilbreath and Brenna Martin contributed four points each.

They’ve got spirit! STAFF PHOTO BY BEV GILBREATH Port Aransas High School students and cheerleaders let their spirit show in the Lady Marlins’ area game against Sabinal, played at Three Rivers on Thursday, Feb. 16. The Lady Marlins fell just one point short, 52-53, in the heartbreaker. The team loses only one senior to graduation in May, so coach Stephanie Cowen is optimistic about the team’s chances at a play-off run in the 2012-13 basketball season.
STAFF PHOTOS BY BEV GILBREATH Lady Marlins Devan Murray, above, and Anna Roberson, below, go up for shots in the area game against Sabinal on Thursday, Feb. 16.