Baker and Barwick Too Much for the Dukes; Leopards win 49-23

Alliance, OH - The Marlington Lady Dukes rekindled an old NBC rivalry by welcoming the Louisville Lady Leopards Monday night. Two of the area's better teams over the past handful of years face a bit of a transition this year as both features quite a few underclassmen playing meaningful varsity minutes.

Luckily for Coach Dan Moody and the Lady Leps, they have Ursuline-bound Senior Courtney Barwick to rely on to make growing pains a little less painful. Thus far this season, it's been Barwick and Junior Guard Maggie Baker leading the Leopards offensively, and Monday night was much of the same.

The admittedly slow starting Leopards held an 11-7 lead after the games first 8 minutes. It was Barwick with 5 and Baker with 4, leading the way. Marlington was led after 1 by Freshman guard Bailee Pietz who drained one from beyond the arc.

Courtney Barwick swings a pass to her left during the 3rd quarter.

The 2nd quarter featured Barwick taking on more of the offensive burden, ending the frame with 7, bringing her total at the half to 12. Baker and Freshman Ezela Manko chipped in 5 apiece for the quarter as the Leopards lead ballooned to 30-14 at the midway point.

Maggie Baker brings the ball over the timeline during the 2nd half.

The 3rd quarter was Maggie Baker's turn to shine as she led all scorers in the quarter with 8, bringing her total to 17 on the night. The Leopards continued their strong defensive night holding the Dukes to 5 in the quarter, making it a 43-19 game entering the final 8 minutes.

With a commanding lead, the Leopards (3-3) played a much slower pace in the final 8 minutes, tallying only 6 points, led by Junior Mabel Kiko with 4, giving her 10 on the night to join Baker and Barwick in double figures. For the Dukes (3-5), it was Junior post player Ella Wittensoldner leading the way with 8 on the night.