Marquette, South Central both lose

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:28AM

There will be no rematch of South Central and Oregon-Davis in the Class 1A Oregon-Davis sectional final.

Oregon-Davis had no problem at all in demolishing Marquette, 82-18. But the Satellites had real problems with Triton's size and ability to play fundamental basketball, falling 47-34 in the other semifinal.

The Satellites just did not play well enough to win, turning the ball over 33 times. And they had big problems with 5-9 Trojans center Megan Howdeshell, who scored 21 points and was an imposing presence in the middle.

"(Houndeshell) came out on fire, she was aggressive, and our post players were unable to stop her," said Satellites head coach Rick Budka.

The Satellites' turnovers proved too costly against a team that is so fundamentally sound.

"The little possessions are just so important," said Budka on the turnovers. "The fundamentals of basketball are just so important."

In her last game, senior Stephanie Balon had 12 points and 16 rebounds, but it wasn't enough.

"Stephanie played her heart out. Games like this you need Steph to step up," Budka said.

"Steph has been great for us, she had 900 career points and 700 rebounds."

The only other South Central player close to double figures was freshman Jill Rosenbaum, who finished with eight points.

South Central (10-9) had beaten Triton earlier in the year in a close game, and though the Satellites did not play consistently enough Tuesday night, they were still close at the half, 20-16.

"We were keeping the game close, and we stayed with them in the third quarter," Budka said.

Fifth-ranked Oregon-Davis (18-5) led 29-2 going into the second quarter, and the Bobcats bench played for much of the second half. Talented freshmen Jesse Averone, Ashley Campbell and Alicia McIntosh played sparingly in the third quarter.

Despite that, McIntosh scored 26, Averone 22 and junior Justyne Kranenburg 10.

Marquette (0-19) was led by Rosie Wall's nine points, while Sydney Mussman had five rebounds.

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