Mariner girls fall short Capital Classic final

The Mariner’s girls’ basketball team entered the final of the Capital Classic’s Hollywood Diner bracket hoping to avenge a Jan. 31 40-38 loss to Milford Middle. Unfortunately for the Vikings, all hands were not on deck against their rival.

The Vikings had just seven players available to face the formidable Bucs at Sussex Academy Feb. 17 in the championship. Milford prevailed 47-26.

“The program is in a good place and trending in the right direction,” said Mariner coach John Wright III. “Last year we finished fourth, and this year we finished second, so next year we are trying to win the whole thing.” 

Working with what they had available, the Vikings went down early thanks to strong first quarters from Milford eighth-graders Ashyra Brown and Alaya Bibbins-Griffin. On her way to winning the MVP, Brown scored seven of her game-high 26 points in the first, while Bibbins-Griffin netted all 10 of her points in the first half.

Trailing 27-11 to start the second half, the Vikings’ faithful got a glimpse of next year as Natalie Horsey picked up her intensity on both sides of the floor.

“I like to get steals mainly because then I can try to drive it in for a basket, but I also like scoring because that helps out too,” Horsey said.

The seventh-grader scored 11 of her team-high 15 points in the second half, benefiting from steals and easy looks in transition.  

Brown, however, continued to dominate and had 14 points in the second half to close out the game and propel the Bucs to victory. She was joined by Bibins-Griffin on the All-Tournament team.

Vikings eighth-grader Mia Scott finished with 10 points and was accompanied by Horsey on the All-Tournament team. Scott and Domy Mejia Ramos were the only two eighth-graders available for Mariner, but Wright said all his departing girls deserve recognition.

“Our eighth-grade class was awesome,” he said. “It started last year, and we had three holdovers from that eight-win team. We’re going to miss what they bring to the program – a lot of heart, dedication and integrity. It’s going to be tough rebuilding without them.”

A reason for optimism: Horsey said she didn’t play basketball for the school until this year, and while she said she was nervous, she also added that it felt amazing to compete and be named to the All-Tournament team.