Bulldogs compete at Rosebud-Lott Basketball Tournament
Last week the Marlin Bulldogs basketball team participated in an in-season tournament hosted by Rosebud-Lott. They played two games on Tuesday, the first was against the Whitney Wildcats.
The Bulldogs defeated Whitney 75-69. The game started even as no team took a clear lead until Marlin fell behind 15-11. The Bulldogs closed the gap with a three pointer by Roderick Suiters (1) to make the score 15-14. That was followed with a basket by Jaidan Womack (11) to take a 16-15 lead. Whitney then went on an 8-2 run to go up on Marlin 23-18, which would be the score at the end of the first quarter.
Marlin started the scoring in the second quarter with a layup by Jordan Womack (4) to make it a 23-20 deficit. Whitney continued to stay ahead, leading 29-22, but Marlin responded with a layup by Suiters to make the score 31-24. The Bulldogs would tie the game at 31 with a big three pointer by Jaidan Womack. However, the Bulldogs went into halftime down 34-31 after a buzzer beating three by Whitney.
After a slow start in the third quarter, Marlin got a successful three-point play from Jaidan Womack for a 38-36 deficit. Jaidan Womack continued go carry the team back as he tied the score at 38 on a layup, then drained a three pointer to take a 43-40 lead. The third quarter ended with Marlin leading 54-48 on a buzzer beating layup by Elijah Davis (15).
Marlin started the fourth quarter strong and got a fastbreak layup by Jordan Womack for a 58-48 lead. The lead grew to double digits at 63-53 on free throws by Jordan Womack. Whitney tried to start a rally and made the score 70-64, but Marlin finished strong to win 75-69. Their second game of the day was against the Rogers Eagles, and Marlin lost in a 42-41 heartbreaker.
They played two more games on Wednesday. The first was against the Waco Lions JV team, and they would lose to Waco in a close battle 66-64. Their final game was against the Valley Mills Eagles, and Marlin won 42-22. The Bulldogs started the game strong and took an 8-0 lead. There would not be much scoring after that as the first quarter ended with Marlin ahead 10-4.
Marlin started the second quarter with a layup by Jaidan Womack (11) for a 12-4 lead. That was followed with a layup by Jordan Womack (4) to make it a 14-9 lead. Marlin went into halftime winning 18-13. The Bulldogs started the third quarter with a fastbreak layup by Womack for a 20-13 lead. Marlin stayed an aggressive with a fastbreak layup by Mario Hopwood (5) off a nice assist by Aarik Shelley (12) to make it a 24-13 lead. Allen Williams (10) helped add on to the lead with two consecutive fastbreak layups to make the score 30-16. The third quarter ended with Marlin leading 30-17.
The fourth quarter started with a basket by Jaidan Womack off his own rebound for a commanding 32-17 lead. The lead expanded to 38-20, and Marlin went on to win 42-22 to end the tournament on a high note. On Friday, the Bulldogs hosted the Hubbard Jaguars for their district opener and soundly defeated them 72-52.
After playing the Wortham Bulldogs on Tuesday, Marlin will head on the road to take on the Bremond Tigers. Tip off is set for 7:15 p.m.