Marion rallies past Blue Devil girls

INDEPENDENCE –– Marion’s all-time leading scorer, Margaret Wagner is a pretty decent shot from behind the 3-point line. For that matter, she’s not bad behind the 1-point line, either.

Craig Worrell

Grayson County’s Lauren Davis puts up a running one-hander against Marion defender Margaret Wagner.

Craig Worrell

Grayson County’s Lakean Vaught works upfloor against Marion’s Angel Carter.

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Wagner scored 12 of her game-high 18 points from the free throw line, including going 10-of-13 in the second half, as the Scarlet Hurricane pulled away from Grayson County for a 60-53 Conference 39 win in a nondistrict game Thursday.

The outcome solidified the seedings for the conference tournament, which begins tonight (Monday). Marion’s win Friday over Tazewell gave the Hurricanes (16-5) the No. 2 seed and put Grayson County (7-14) in the No. 3 spot, pitting the Blue Devils against No. 6 Graham in tonight’s conference quarterfinals. 

Leading 24-22 at the start of the third period, the Blue Devils pulled out to a 30-24 advantage at the 5:29 mark as Kassie Hawks finished underneath on back-to-back transition opportunities.

Marion rallied with a 9-4 spurt and Wagner trimmed Grayson County’s lead to 34-33 by converting a three-shot opportunity at the foul line. Lauren Davis scored on the run for the Blue Devils but Marion pulled even at 36 with a 3-pointer by Stella Sturgill.

Wagner swished two more free throws, stole the ensuing inbounds pass and scored underneath for a 40-36 lead for Marion. Lakean Vaught hit two foul shots to close the third quarter for Grayson and Kayla Osborne sank two more to open the fourth, giving the Blue Devils their last lead of the night, 41-40.

The Scarlet Hurricane took the lead for good with a 7-0 run, capped by two Alley Barr baskets.

A 3-pointer and subsequent three-point play by Vaught got Grayson to within 48-47 at the four-minute mark of the fourth, but six straight Marion points from Abbie Jennings were too much for the Devils to overcome.

Hawks led all scorers with 23 points for Grayson County. Jennings augmented Wagner’s effort with 13 for Marion.

Marion....................12  10  18  20––60

Grayson County......12  12  15  14––53

Marion (15-6)

Carter 2 3-4 7, Wagner 3 12-15 18, Barr 3 0-0 6, Billings 4 0-0 8, Owens 1 0-0 3, Jennings 4 5-8 13, Sturgill 2 0-0 5. Totals 29 20-27 60.

Grayson County (7-14)

Osborne 2 3-4 7, Brewer 3 1-2 8, A.Moore 1 0-2 2, Vaught 2 3-3 8, Davis 2 1-2 5, Hawks 11 1-6 23. Totals 21 9-19 53.

Three-point field goals – Marion 2 (Owens, Sturgill), Grayson County 2 (Brewer, Vaught). Team fouls – Marion 19, Grayson County 17. Fouled out – Jennings.