Marlington boys end losing streak

With two games left in the season – both on the road against nonconference opponents – the Dukes needed a victory to break a five-game losing streak that stretched back to the end of January.

In a bittersweet turn, Marlington ended the skid in its second-to-last regular-season game, only to drop the finale as the Dukes await the Division IV Northeast 4 District sectional tournament.

Marlington opened the week with a Feb. 17 visit to Tusky Valley. The Dukes jumped out to a 17-10 lead after one quarter and maintained that edge the rest of the way in a 55-46 victory, their first win since Jan. 30.

Cameron Evanich scored 16 points, grabbed nine rebounds and added six assists. Bryce Jones and Brady Denham each scored 13 points, and Cole Jones had seven points and 10 rebounds. Brody May led Tusky Valley (10-12) with 20 points, and Izaak Matthews added 13.

Three days later, the Dukes traveled to Hubbard for their regular-season finale but fell 67-57.

Evanich scored 25 points and pulled down five rebounds. Marlington led 15-13 after one quarter, but Hubbard outscored the Dukes 19-11 in the second to take a 32-26 halftime lead. Jones and Denham each added 10 points and seven rebounds for Marlington (5-17), and Denham had seven assists. Kenyen Franklin led Hubbard (15-7) with 25 points, and Braydon Singer scored 17.

Girls basketball

After an 8-14 regular season, the Lady Dukes earned the No. 24 seed and hosted No. 28 Cleveland Central Catholic in a Division IV Northeast 3 District sectional final Feb. 19.

Marlington rolled to a 66-37 victory, building a 41-11 halftime lead. Detailed individual statistics were not available. The Lady Dukes improved to 9-14, while Cleveland Central Catholic finished 5-17.

Bowling

The Marlington boys and girls bowling teams competed in the Division I Northeast District Sectional Tournament at Eastbury Lanes, but neither advanced.

In the boys tournament Feb. 14, the Dukes finished 10th out of 15 teams with a total pinfall of 3,247, 720 pins short of the cut for the top four district qualifiers. Lake won the sectional title, and Hoover, Massillon Perry and Louisville also advanced.

Sophomore Connor Cole led Marlington with a 518 series and a high game of 213. Junior Colton Lane rolled a 499 series, and junior Owen Wright added a 471.

In the girls sectional Feb. 15, the Lady Dukes placed 13th out of 15 teams with a total pinfall of 2,436, 752 pins shy of the cut. Perry won with 3,745, and Wooster, Wadsworth and GlenOak also advanced. Senior Laney Cross led Marlington with a 406 series.

Swimming

At the Division II District Swimming and Diving meet Feb. 20 at Shaker Heights Hathaway Brown, Marlington’s Irelyn Johnson competed as an individual and placed 27th in the 500 freestyle with a time of 6:16.63.