Top ranked Marshall stifles Leake to advance
Southern Sports & Travel
Leake head coach Phil Shepard knew the huge challenge that awaited his squad after Thursday night’s 65-52 win over Kirk to advance to the semi-finals of the North AA State Tournament in Batesville. That challenge would be the top team in Class AA, Marshall. Unfortunately for Leake, Marshall is laden with weapons and the deepest bench in Class AA and that showed as the top ranked Patriots improved to 32-3 with an 81-59 win over tenth ranked Leake last night.
Peyton Lewis and Kevin Fitzpatrick combined for 39 points as Marshall jumped out to a 29-11 first quarter lead en-route to the semi-final win.
(Above) Kevin Fitzpatrick (#1) of Marshall converts in the paint in the first half
Leake would tie the game at 2-2 on Wesley Webb’s driving bucket but Marshall erupted with an 18-2 run fueled by junior Peyton Lewis.
With Marshall holding a 10-4 advantage at the 3:48 mark of the opening quarter Lewis went off.
A jump hook in the paint was followed by a 3-pointer from the wing to give Marshall a 15-4 lead and Lewis wasn’t done. The junior canned a 3-pointer from the corner and picked up a steal at halfcourt and cashed in on a lay-in to extend the Patriot lead to 20-4. Lewis had tallied 10 points in less than a minute and a half.
Leake produced a 12-5 run during the first four minutes of the second quarter to trim the deficit to 36-24 but the Rebels would get no closer the rest of the way.
Marshall increased their lead to 48-31 on an Aaron McAlexander 15 foot jumper and a Kevin Fitzpatrick free throw to end the half.
The Patriots opened up the second half with a 7-2 run to take their biggest lead at 55-33 with 5:46 left in the quarter.
(Above) Marshall's Dakota Dailey (#12) attacks the basket in the second half
Marshall grabbed their biggest lead of the night at 81-56 on an Antonio Love offensive rebound and put back with less than one remaining in the contest.
With the win Marshall moves on and will take on Canton in the North AA State Tournament final. Canton topped Immanuel 65-55 last night.
Ten Marshall players contributed to the 81-59 win over Leake.
Peyton Lewis led all scorers with 22 points, Kevin Fitzpatrick added 17, Brad Bennett 15, Aaron McAlexander 7, Dakota Dailey 6, Antonio Love 5, Andy Burleson 3, Chase Ferrell, Randy Love and Matt Rappa 2 each.
Leake (24-10) was led by Wesley Webb with 17 points, Alex Shepard added 15, Aaron Shepard 12, Thomas Tubby 6, Austin Shepard 4 and Derek Smith and Austin Marler with 3 each.
Leake will take on Immanuel Christian in the consolation game this evening.
