After coach resigns, Monroe girls basketball team beats Mariner
Published 9:41 pm Tuesday, January 3, 2012
MONROE — A few hours after their coach resigned, the players on the Monroe girls basketball team soldiered on with one of their strongest performances of the season.
Jordyn Turner scored 12 points and Ashley Alexander had 11 points and nine rebounds to lead the Bearcats to a 61-20 win over Mariner on Tuesday night in its first game since head coach Brian Paine resigned following the holiday break.
“Brian left for personal reasons,” said Monroe athletic director and interim girls head coach Brett Wille after the game.
The Bearcats played inspired from the outset, outscoring Mariner 24-16 in the first half. But it was the second half where Monroe dug in on the defensive side of the ball, holding the Marauders to just four points for the entire second half, including zero in the fourth quarter.
“I was really proud of our girls tonight,” Wille said. “It was really good to see them cheer each other on. They played their hearts out.”
Wille said he will coach the team for the rest of the season and open the position at its conclusion.
Paine, who was an assistant coach at Wenatchee Community College before coming to Monroe, finished 2-8 as Monroe’s head coach.
At Monroe H.S.
Mariner8840—20
Monroe14101720—61
Mariner—McFerrin 0, Ad. Marenah 0, Laush 2, Mainord 3, Dzecko 5, Aw. Marenah 8, Nicolas 2, Openiano 0, Lea 0. Monroe—Ohlsen 1, Turner 12, Brazel 12, Roppo 3, Sharp 0, Alexander 11, Wangner 2, Smith 0, Shore 2, Hohenstein 2, Wilkins 11, Miller 5. 3-point goals—Brazel 1, Roppo 1. Records—Mariner 0-5 in league, 4-7 overall. Monroe 1-5, 3-8.
