The Manawa girls’ basketball team opened its 2013-14 season by hosting Marion.
The Mustangs took advantage of a miserable shooting night by the Wolves and forced 44 turnovers, and coasted to a 45-8 victory Tuesday, Nov. 26.
The Mustangs rated the favorite in the CWC-10 race used a 2-2-1 full court press and a 2-3-zone defense to force the Lady Wolves into mistakes. The Wolves managed to get off only 24 shots and made only three baskets.
Both teams struggled throughout the opening minutes showing the first game jitters.
The Mustangs opened the game with a full court press, forcing 16 first quarter turnovers. Despite calling two timeouts to solve the press the Wolves trailed by only six points with fewer than three minutes to play in the quarter.
Manawa’s first ten possessions resulted in nine turnovers and an offensive foul. With 2:42 left in the quarter Manawa finally got a shot off. The Mustangs finished the quarter with six more points and held a 12-0 lead after one quarter of play.
Junior Ashlee Strebe finally put Manawa on the board with just under five minutes left in the first half, ending a 16-0 run by the Mustangs to open the game. Cassidy Detert sparked an 8-0 run for a commanding 24-2 lead. Strebe and senior Molly Loughrin finished the half with a basket and two free throws.
Marion opened the second half with a 9-0 run by forcing another ten turnovers putting to rest any threat of a comeback by the Lady Wolves. Tany Dey tallied four of those points. Marion held a 38-8 lead after three quarters of play.
Jessica Reminger led the Mustangs with 10 points, while Dey added 9.
Strebe led Manawa with four points.
The Wolves travel to Tigerton, Friday, Dec. 6.