Marble Falls wins district opener over Tigers

December 12, 2012, 3:00 pm by Mark Goodson

By Mark Goodson

Highlander Sports Editor

Marble Falls stands in the early District 25-4A girls’ basketball lead after a 53-48 win over Dripping Springs.

Marble Falls (12-5) held off Dripping Springs in the District 25-4A opener at Max Copeland Gym Tuesday night behind 23-point effort from Sarah Stripling and some key play from support players down the stretch.

Marble Falls let an 18-point lead disappear in the fourth quarter, but held on with big plays from Hanna Wall, Hayley Fishbeck and Katy Bartels in the final minute.

Dripping Springs (8-7, 0-1) bounced back after trailing 42-24 with 6:41 left to make it a game. Dripping Springs cut the lead the one point (47-46) with 1:04 left when Alaina Huslig hit one of two free throws.

In the final minute, Stripling hit three of four clutch free throws and Fishbeck scored on a steal and assist from Bartels.

The closest Dripping Springs could draw in the late flurry was three points (51-48 with 19 seconds left when Hailey Bode hit a 15-footer.

Both teams battled foul trouble the entire game and five players fouled out, including Marble Falls point guard Blanca Fonseca and post players Reann Hall and Teagan Hall.

Bartels and Fishbeck were the Mustangs best scorers behind Stripling with seven points each.

Dripping Springs top scorer was post Madison Steele with 15 points. She had 10 of her points in the second half.

Dripping Springs outscored the Mustangs 26-15 in the fourth quarter.