Of their first season competing in Florida’s 1A Rural District 8 classification, the Girl Fins of Marathon introduced house a district championship.
Touring to Moore Haven for the match, the Fins had no concept what to anticipate towards a pool of opponents they’d by no means confronted. Frequent opponents had been nonexistent and the FHSAA’s system of rankings has not at all times been dependable, so Marathon entered the match decided to play their greatest and depart all of it on the courtroom.
They began with a quarterfinal bye, then confronted the Miners of Fort Meade on Feb. 4 within the semis. Daysi Williams dropped 14 on the Miners with Payton Junker and Elena Eubanks including seven every within the 39-22 win. With the victory, the Girl Fins eradicated the second seed and the one factor that stood between them and a championship trophy was the top-seeded Moore Haven Terriers.
On Feb. 7, the Girl Fins discovered themselves within the district championship match towards Moore Haven. The Fins had been the underdogs within the finals and needed to journey to Moore Haven twice in a single week, because the top-seeded crew earned internet hosting privileges for the match. Marathon got here out taking pictures and outscored the Terriers 20-13 in quarter one, discovering themselves up by 4 on the half. They stretched that lead out by two extra in quarter three, then completed on prime, 58-50, to seal their first district title since 2018.
Daysi Williams registered a double-double with 17 factors and 12 rebounds. Marti’yana Kilbourne had 17 factors, seven rebounds and eight steals. Elena Eubank scored 9 with 13 rebounds and Shaina Robinson added 13, with 9 coming from behind the 3-point line. Not dangerous for a crew with three seventh-graders, Robinson included, who noticed enjoying time within the championship recreation.
Although Marathon methodically picked off groups ranked increased than themselves, their ranking will doubtless not change sufficient to earn a house match within the Rural Candy 16 State Championship sequence. They play their first match Feb. 13, and a win then would propel them into the regional finals, two extra wins away from a state championship shot.
Coral Shores, ranked No. 3 in 3A’s District 16, confronted No. 2 Keys Gate of their quarterfinal recreation. The ’Canes misplaced 72-44, however each single participant gained the expertise of being in a playoff matchup, and every contributed to the factors complete as effectively. Anna Barrow had a team-high 11 whereas Melanie Estevez added 9. Grace Leffler and Presley Bagwell scored six every with Gabby Thomas and Abby Vogt contributing 4. Thomas was credited with 10 rebounds in her ultimate recreation as a Girl ’Cane, whereas London Atkins completed out her first season with two factors. The crew completed the season 5-6.
Key West accomplished its season at 1-20 after a loss to the highest seed in District 16’s 4A pool. With simply 4 groups, quarterfinals had been pointless, sending them every into the semifinals the place No. 4 Key West drew the No. 1 seed as their opponent. Miami Northwestern defeated the Girl Conchs 60-21.