Bulldogs clinch playoff berth with win over Axtell

The Marlin Bulldogs obliterated the Axtell Longhorns 81-25 in a game that was never really in doubt on Friday night. 

With this win, the Bulldogs remain undefeated in district and improve their district record to 9-0. This victory also seals up the district title for the third consecutive year.

The first two minutes of the game stayed tight and would be scoreless. The drought ended with a Marlin free throw then a layup by Ty Harris (3) for a 3-0 lead. That was followed with a successful three point play by Derion Gullette (4) for a 6-0 lead. Axtell came back to make the score 6-5 but then the Bulldogs expanded the lead once again with help from a layup by Tremayne Richardson (5) to make the score 10-5. Marlin stayed aggressive with a put back layup by K’jahmarrey Wilson (20) for a double digit 15-5 lead. The Bulldogs scored again on a buzzer beating three pointer by Roderick Suiters (21) for a 20-7 lead to end the first quarter.

Marlin picked up where they left off and went on a 15-0 run to start the second quarter. Their defense was so solid, the only score the Bulldogs would allow by Axtell came from basket in the last minute of the second quarter. Marlin then scored on a buzzer beating three pointer by Keyshawn Thomas (10) for a 37-9 lead going into halftime.

The scoring in the third quarter started with a slam dunk by Gullette off an ally-oop pass by Ke’untre Thomas (1) to make it a whopping 39-12 lead. The defensive scoring would then come with three consecutive fast break layups by Harris to make the lead 47-12. The lead for Marlin continued to grow to 52-16, and they later scored on a transition layup by Thomas for a 57-16 lead. The third quarter ended with the Bulldogs up big on the Longhorns 59-16.

The Bulldogs kept it going in the fourth quarter with a successful three point play by Gullette for a 62-18 lead, and soon expanded the lead to 69-20. That would be followed by a three pointer by Harris for an incredible 74-20 lead. The final Marlin points came off a three pointer by Suiters to make the score 81-25, which would be the final score to help Marlin come out on top. Ty Harris was the leading scorer with 25 points. Derion Gullette had 15 points and 5 assists, and was great on defense with 10 rebounds, two blocks, and 7 steals. Tremayne Richardson scored 9 points, and was incredible on defense with 6 steals and 13 rebounds.

The Bulldogs also hosted the Mart Panthers on Tuesday, Feb. 8, and they defeated the Panthers 57-36. 

Marlin will face Bosqueville on Monday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. at Lorena High School in the bi-district round of the playoffs.