Marathon girls fall just short in the Sectional Quarter-Finals

(Photo from Cortland Voice photo files).

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The Marathon Olympians girls’ varsity basketball season came to an end on Saturday in the quarterfinal round of sectional play vs. #3 seed Franklin.  

The game featured volume scorers from both teams, Marathon’s Brooke Tillotson (19 ppg) and Franklin’s Kayla Campbell (20 ppg). 

“It’s always exciting as a coach to see two of the section's top players going at it on the court,” said Marathon Head Coach Andrew Pierce.

Both teams came out firing from behind the arc, as Marathon Senior Molly Merihew connected on two 3-pointers and Tillotson with one. Campbell and her twin sister Marissa Campbell connected for four 3-pointers to help Franklin get a 17-13 first quarter lead.  

In the second quarter, Franklin outscored the Olympians to gain a 31-16 lead at the half. Marathon’s sharpshooter Merihew was sidelined with 4 fouls. 

At the start of the second half, Marathon held Franklin to two points in the third quarter; while Marathon eighth grader Abby Ensign scored two 3-pointers to spark the Olympians’ offense, and cut Franklin’s lead to 27-33. 

“It was gut check time for our girls, and they responded like I knew they would,” said Coach Pierce.

It was a battle right to the end, as Marathon got within striking distance several times; but would not get to the free throw line.  

“Sometimes the calls don’t go your way, but when we come into the game averaging over 18 free throws a game and only shoot four total in this game, it’s more than frustrating,” stated Coach Pierce. “I’m proud of the girls. They never quit.” 

With a short amount of time left, the Olympians were forced to foul and Franklin came up with the 43-37 win. 

The Lady Olympians ended the season with an 11-11 overall record.