After struggling for much of the game Martensdale-St. Marys played like the top ranked team in the final quarter. The Blue Devils outscored Newell-Fonda 17-5 in the final frame in a 47-34 victory in the class 1A quarterfinal round opener at the girls state basketball tournament.
Martensdale St. Marys senior guard Sam Norris says they were expecting a tough game, and they knew they had to play their game and not get too rushed. Norris finished with a game-high 18 points to go along with 11 rebounds.
The Blue Devils finally made their free throws down the stretch and that helped them pull away. They were only one of eight from the line in the opening half and finished the game by making only 11 of 26. Norris says they were too tense to start as she says free throws are a mental thing.
Newell-Fonda never found a groove on offense and made only 5 of 27 shots in the second half. Newell-Fonda coach Dick Jungers says they got into foul trouble and that ended up being the difference as his team couldn’t get to the line. Jungers was pleased with the Mustangs’ effort despite their shooting woes. He says they cam in to win and played hard for the whole game, they just needed some more shots to fall to get the win.
Alyssa Henrich led Newell-Fonda with 10 points as the Mustangs close the season with a record of 14-11. Martensdale-St. Marys will take a 24-2 record into the class 1A semifinals.