FORTVILLE – They came into the game as underdogs.
They left as champions.
In a defensive slugfest Saturday night at Mt. Vernon, the host Marauders outlasted the visiting New Palestine Dragons in a girls basketball sectional championship game, avenging last year’s sectional final defeat with a 35-29 victory.
The win gave Mt. Vernon its first sectional championship in six years, and 15th overall.
Mt. Vernon used tenacious defense to stifle the Dragons’ high-powered offense, keeping the Dragons at bay throughout. The Marauders opened a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter before New Palestine stormed back, scoring six quick points off consecutive steals.
The senior-led Dragons couldn’t keep up with the younger Marauders, though, as Abby Worley and Tessa Freeman, a sophomore and junior, hit 9 of 10 free throws in the waning minutes to seal the win.
Worley led all scorers with 10 points. Lexi Shelton had 9. Freeman had 6.
For the Dragons, Leah Seib had 8 points, Jordan Reid had 7 and Katie Herron added 6.
See a full story with photos in Tuesday’s Daily Reporter.