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Seniors shine

Lady Knights post win over Girard

Eisenhower senior Lillian Smyth scores 2 of her 7 points against Girard on Monday night. Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger

RUSSELL — It was Senior Night at Eisenhower on Monday night as the Knights welcomed Girard to the John Neese Memorial Gymnasium.

The Knights were not good hosts as they beat the Yellow Jackets 64-26.

Eisenhower’s Bella Marino scored the first 2 points of the game and the senior left her mark on the game with a game-high 14 points.

The Knights, who start three freshmen in their lineup, jumped out to a 20-4 first-quarter lead behind freshman Lainey Font’s 6 points. Font would go on to score 12 points in the game.

Eisenhower forced several turnovers that led to fast-break points in the second quarter as they opened up a 37-16 halftime lead.

Eisenhower senior Kaitlin Sleeman dribbles up court as Smyth trails behind. Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger

With two starters on the bench with first-half foul trouble, Eisenhower head coach DJ Steinberg turned to his bench and it did not disappoint as senior Lillian Smyth and sophomore Samantha Childs added 6 and 7 points, respectively, en route to a 49-22 lead at the end of three quarters.

With the win, Eisenhower improved to 10-8 on the season, which is quite a turnaround from the Knights’ two wins a season ago.

In a fitting tribute, at the 4-minute mark of the fourth quarter, Steinberg put all five of his seniors on the court together: Marino, Smyth, Kaitlin Sleeman, Mackenzie Dunn and Haylee Irvin, who as a group only experienced a total of 10 wins over their previous three seasons.

“It was good to get them on the court together,” Steinberg said. “They have played such important roles on this year’s team. I have enjoyed coaching them. They will be missed next season.”

The Knights closed the fourth quarter by allowing the Yellow Jackets just 4 points over the final eight minutes.

Eisenhower senior Bella Marino scores a layup in Monday’s game against Girard. Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger

GIRARD (26)

Flynn 1 0 2, Rand 0 0 0, Polk 3 0 8, Parsons 0 0 0, Kalicky 3 2 11, Bock 1 0 2, Strain 1 0 3. Totals 9 2 26.

EISENHOWER (64)

Marino 7 0 14, Font 6 0 12, Childs 3 0 6, Belcher 0 0 0, Alcorn 0 0 0, LSmyth 3 1 7, Sleeman 2 0 4, Dunn 3 2 9, Pascuzzi 0 0 0, CSmyth 0 1 1, Steinberg 4 1 11, Irvine 0 0 0. Totals 28 5 64.

3-point goals–Polk 2, Kalicky 3, Strain, Steinberg.

Girard 4 12 6 4 — 26

Eisenhower 20 17 12 15 — 64

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