Bulldogs host Australian team
The Marlin Bulldogs basketball team hosted a very unique opponent on Tuesday, Dec. 17. The Bulldogs played against Brighten Grammer School, a team all the way from Australia.
Marlin was victorious, winning 58-51.
The Bulldogs started fast with a layup by Aarik Smith-Shelley (12) for a 2-0 lead and spurted out to a 5-0 start. Marlin added on with a three point make by Jaidan Womack (11) for an 8-2 advantage. The Bulldogs continued to score from deep range with a three pointer by Smith-Shelley to make it a 13-6 lead. The first quarter ended with Marlin ahead 13-9.
The Bulldogs scored first in the second quarter with a three point make by Smith-Shelley to take a 16-9 lead. Marlin continued to pile on with a successful three point play by Jaidan Womack for a commanding 21-9 lead, which was soon followed with a layup by Roderick Suiters (1) to grow the margin to 27-11. The Bulldogs went into halftime winning 29-15.
The Bulldogs scored first in the third quarter with a three point make by Suiters for a 32-15 advantage. Brighten began to rally back and closed the gap to 35-24, and the third quarter ended with Marlin ahead 36-28. The first points in the fourth quarter for Marlin came from a basket by Smith-Shelley to make it a 38-30 lead. That was soon followed with a layup by Suiters to widen the margin to 42-30, and they continued to increase their lead to 46-32. Brighten refused to go away and answered with a 13-2 run to make the score 48-45. Marlin halted their momentum with a layup by Smith-Shelley to make it a 50-45 lead, and continued their scoring run with two consecutive layups by Jaidan Womack for a 54-47advantage. The Bulldogs held tough to win the match 58-51.
With this victory, Marlin now has a record of 6-1.
Marlin will not be playing the Eltham Wildcats on Thursday anymore due to UIL complications. After taking on the La Vega Pirates on Saturday, the Bulldogs will participate in an in-season tournament hosted by China Spring during the weekend of Dec. 27-28. They will play two games on Friday (Grandview at 10:30 a.m. and Lake Belton at 4:30 p.m.) and one on Saturday (China Spring at 10:30 a.m.).