Article and photos by T Ray Henry
On Tuesday, February 17th, the Marshall High School boys basketball team traveled to Robinson High School to take on the host Maroons in the regular season finale for the Lions. Marshall came in with a record of 12-14, while Robinson came in with a record of 12-16, having won 6 of its last 7 games (the only loss in those 7 games was a 47-point loss to Teutopolis).
With both teams’ final placement in the conference standings already determined prior to this meeting (Marshall will finish 5th in the Little Illini Conference, while Robinson will finish 7th), this game served as the final tune-up for the Lions as they turn the page to the state tournament and next Monday’s trip to Clinton for a matchup against another Maroons squad in the regional quarterfinal round.
Robinson led 16-10 after the first 8 minutes of action. Marshall’s Tucker Osborn hit a couple of big three-pointers among his 8 points to keep the Lions within reach. Garrett Pugh accounted for the Lions’ other bucket. Unfortunately for Marshall, the team missed all four free throws in the first quarter, which ultimately became a harbinger of things to come.
In Quarter #2, threes by Tucker Osborn and Brady Landrus, along with a free throw from Garrett Pugh and a field goal from Zach Jones, had the Lions within 8 points at the halftime break (27-19).
Early in the third quarter, Marshall outscored Robinson 10-2 to tie the game up at 29 when Brady Landrus drained a three-pointer from the right side, but Robinson responded with a 12-4 run to close out the quarter leading 41-33. In the final quarter, Marshall did not threaten to make a run, and the game ended with the Lions falling by the score of 62-51 as Robinson had four players in double figures.
For Marshall, Tucker Osborn and Garrett Pugh each led the way with 14 points apiece. Osborn also had 7 rebounds and 7 assists. Pugh also had 7 rebounds to go along with 3 steals. Brady Landrus finished with 8 points, while Ethan Sumner came in off the bench to score 6. Bryce Griguhn had 5 points, and Tommy Sheehy and Zach Jones each finished with 2 points. As a team, the Lions were just 3 of 13 from the free throw line (23%) in the game. The 13 free throws shot by Marshall was dwarfed in comparison to Robinson, who shot 27 free throws in the contest, making 20 of them, as the officials called 23 fouls against Marshall to 16 against Robinson. Two Marshall players fouled out of the game; conversely, no Robinson players were disqualified.
With the regular season ending for the Lions, now 12-15 on the season, the squad turns its attention to next Monday, when Marshall begins state tournament play at Clinton. Tipoff for the regional quarterfinal game is scheduled for 6:30 PM on Monday, February 23rd at Clinton High School. With a win over the 21-8 Maroons, Marshall will then travel to St. Joe-Ogden High School to play the host Trojans in the regional semifinal round on Wednesday, February 25th at 7:30 PM for the opportunity to play for the regional championship.
Brady Landrus (5) hit a pivotal three-pointer to tie the game in the third quarter against Robinson
Tucker Osborn (2) finished with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 axsists for Marshall vs Robinson
Garrett Pugh scored 14 points, pulled down 7 rebounds, and had 3 steals against Robinson
Tommy Sheehy drops in a shot for Marshall against Robinson
