The Marietta Indians and Lady Indians were scheduled to open their season Friday, November 17 against visiting Putnam Heights Academy in the Bill Johnson Gymnasium’s new commons/lobby area pending occupancy approval. That approval granted, both teams were set to host their first home game in a season.
Putnam Heights’ girls’ team forfeited, boosting Coach Tory Douglass’s Lady Indians to a 1-0 record to begin their season.
Coach Kenny Barnes and the Indians took the court, tipping off at 7 p.m., and despite a short turnaround coming off football season and only one scrimmage against Coalgate, the Indians showed up ready to play, jumping out to a 15-7 lead at the end of the first quarter, led by sophomore guard Aedan Ellison, who scored 10 points in the first quarter.
The Indians continued to pour it on in the second, scoring 28 points, and leading 43-13 at halftime. The second half was more of the same, and the Indians coasted to their first win of the season by a final score of 71-35.
Ellison led scoring with 25 points – a career high – and was four of six from the free throw line. Tucker Kirk had 11 points.
“Our defense had over 15 steals and put up a lot of points running in transition after,” said Barnes. “I’m proud of our intensity and the way we ran the floor.”
Barnes also saw good things from freshmen Seth McMillan, who had seven points, three of which came from beyond the three-point line, and Jorge Remis, who scored eight points and was two for two from the free throw line.
“Both of those boys contributed big on both ends of the floor, and Ben Fernandez gave us some valuable minutes,” Barnes concluded.
Marietta teams will off during the Thanksgiving holiday week before hitting the hardwood again on November 28 against Davis.