McLean High School’s girls varsity basketball team faced a difficult matchup on Jan. 9 against the Marshall Statesmen. Coming into the game, the Highlanders were slated to compete against a team with a strong reputation, while also adjusting to playing without junior point guard Cora Stevens due to a leg injury.
Marshall wasted little time asserting control, scoring the first points of the game and immediately putting McLean on the defense. The Highlanders responded with junior Karine Najarian scoring McLean’s first basket, evening out the score at 2–2 and bringing a noticeable burst of energy to the court.
That momentum did not last long, as the Statesmen answered with a three-pointer to regain the lead. McLean continued to play with intensity, but Marshall’s composed offense and defensive pressure slowed the Highlanders rhythm. By the end of the first quarter, Marshall held a 5–2 lead, and had set the tone for the rest of the night.
The second quarter saw Marshall build onto their lead, opening the frame with strong shooting to stretch the lead to 8–2. McLean struggled to convert possessions into points, often unable to sink shots.
The Highlanders showed signs of life midway through the quarter, cutting the score to 8-4 as they tried to stay within striking distance. However, Marshall once again answered from beyond the arc, keeping McLean from gaining real momentum.
As the quarter went on, Marshall continued to drill down on its lead with disciplined play and steady execution. McLean found it hard to string together stops, and the first half ended with the Statesmen ahead 13–6, having controlled both quarters of the half.
“We were trying to stay locked in and not let the early run define us,” sophomore point guard Emilia Alecsic said. “It felt like we were rushing some things, especially in the first half.”
The Highlanders entered halftime trailing, but still searching for adjustments that could shift the game’s flow. Despite the score, there was a sense that McLean had the effort, but lacked the consistency to keep up.
McLean came out of the locker room with more urgency in the third quarter, picking up momentum early and showing a stronger presence on both ends of the floor. Freshman Elizabeth Burnison chipped away at the deficit with a basket that brought the score to 13-8, helping energize the Highlanders.
Marshall quickly called a timeout to regroup, then added to its lead from the free throw line following a foul. McLean continued to push, cutting the score to 16-10 as they worked to close the distance through hustle and tighter defense.
For a brief stretch, it felt like McLean might fully swing momentum in their favor, but the Statesmen responded with another three-pointer late in the quarter. The third quarter ended with Marshall ahead 19–10, pulling away just as McLean seemed ready to make a run.
Point guard Alecsic played an important role during this stretch, helping facilitate the offense and setting up teammates with timely passes. Her assists kept McLean moving the ball, even as scoring continued to be a challenge.
The fourth quarter opened with Marshall once again extending its lead, pushing the score to 21–10. McLean continued to fight, but the Statesman’s execution and ability to slow the pace made it difficult for the Highlanders to mount a comeback.
Marshall added to its lead once more, making it 24–10 and effectively sealing the game. McLean battled until the final moments, but the gap proved too large to overcome.
Ultimately, Marshall led in every quarter, controlling both halves and maintaining consistency throughout the game.
“We didn’t stop competing, even when the score wasn’t in our favor,” Alecsic said. “Games like this are tough, but they show us where we need to get better, and that’s important for the rest of the season.”
McLean still has several games left this season, including a rematch against Marshal on Feb. 2, giving them a chance to redeem themselves.
