This story is sponsored by: The Marshfield Tiger Booster Club
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – Bay Port’s full-court, trapping press proved to be too much for the Marshfield girls basketball team to handle.
The Tigers committed 36 turnovers, 22 in the first half, and dropped a 49-39 nonconference game to Bay Port on Friday night at Marshfield High School.
Despite the early struggles, Marshfield (1-2) hung around and led 10-9 after a 3-pointer from Meg Bryan with 7:50 to go in the first half.
Bay Port pulled ahead for good with a 9-0 run over the next 6 minutes as Marshfield turned the ball over seven times and managed just one shot attempt during the streak.
Corianne Johnson scored four points in the closing 1:30 of the half to cut the Tigers’ deficit to 18-14 at halftime.
Two early baskets by Jenna Jakobi, who led Marshfield with 14 points, brought the Tigers to within two at 20-18, but that was as close as they would get.
A steal and basket by Emma Nagel gave Bay Port (5-1) a 29-20 lead. Marshfield closed to within five after another hoop by Jakobi before a 7-0 run gave the Pirates a double-digit lead.
McKenzie Johnson scored nine of her game-high 17 points in the final 8:07 to help the Pirates preserve their lead.
The difference in scoring came at the free throw line as Bay Port was 19 of 31 and Marshfield made only five of 10.
Marshfield will play at Stevens Point as part of a girls-boys doubleheader on Tuesday. The girls game starts at 6 p.m. with the boys to follow at approximately 7:45 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on WDLB-AM 1450 and wdlbwosq.com.
Pirates 49, Tigers 39
Bay Port 18 31 – 49
Marshfield 14 25 – 39
BAY PORT (41): Grace Krause 0-0 0-0 0, Peyton Coughlin 0-4 0-0 0, Alaina Abel 1-10 7-10 9, Reagan McIntyre 0-4 0-3 0, Nela Merxauerova 1-4 4-4 6, McKenzie Johnson 6-14 5-8 17, Emma Nagel 2-4 1-2 5, Mady Draak 1-5 0-0 2, Sofia Draghiccio 4-9 2-4 10. FG: 15-54. FT: 19-31. 3-pointers: 0-7 (Coughlin 0-1, Abel 0-1, McIntyre 0-1, Johnson 0-2, Draghicchio 0-2). Rebounds: 30 (Johnson 6, Draak 6). Turnovers: 17. Fouls: 19. Fouled out: none. Record: 5-1.
MARSHFIELD (39): Kaydee Johnson 1-2 0-0 3, Meg Bryan 2-6 0-0 6, Maddie Michaelis 1-5 0-0 3, Desirae Weisenberger 1-2 0-0 2, Hannah Meverden 1-1 0-1 2, Corianne Johnson 1-4 5-8 7, Katie Osinski 1-3 0-1 2, Jenna Jakobi 7-16 0-0 14. FG: 15-39. FT: 5-10. 3-pointers: 4-14 (Bryan 2-6, K. Johnson 1-1, C. Johnson 0-3, Michaelis 1-4). Rebounds: 44 (Osinski 8, C. Johnson 8). Turnovers: 36. Fouls: 23. Fouled out: C. Johnson. Record: 1-2.