As their regular season drew to a close, the three Monroe County girls basketball teams learned they’d face some stiff competition to begin their postseason treks.
A pair of wins gave Marathon’s Lady Fins a winning record heading into the postseason. Against Key West on Jan. 29, Elena Eubank scored a game-high 26 points. Marti’yana Kilbourne added 16 points and nine rebounds while Daysi Williams scored eight with 14 rebounds. Eubank had the hot hand again the following night, scoring 19 against NSU University School. Williams added 12 and Kilbourne had eight in the win.
For the playoffs, Marathon will travel to Fort Meade to face the Miners in the Fins’ first season of Rural Class District 8 action. After receiving a bye for the play-in game, Marathon advanced directly into the semis on Thursday, Feb. 6. Should they prevail against the Miners, Marathon could play for the district title two nights later against Moore Haven.
Key West started the week with a forfeit against Mater Lakes Jan. 27, then fell to Marathon two nights later. Jaylin Greene scored seven points, Jasmina Idobilloeva put up six and Monica Bueno and Colleen Barter added five each in the loss. The travel-weary team suffered two more losses later in the week. The Lady Conchs finished their regular season with eight scheduled road trips and will continue their travels in the postseason. The 1-19 Conchs face the top seed in 4A District 16 action against the Bulls of Miami Northwestern Feb. 6.
The Lady ’Canes lost at Ransom on Jan. 30 in their final regular-season game this year. Melanie Estevez scored 14 and Gabby Thomas added seven in the loss. Coral Shores enters the postseason with an even 5-5 record, and with just four teams in the 3A District 16 bracket, the Lady ’Canes go straight to the semifinals. Their first postseason opponent is Keys Gate, a team that defeated Coral Shores decisively in December, but that was prior to the ’Canes heating up this season.
