Freshman quartet fills void for short-handed Marshall

When a team loses one of its leading scorers, other players have to step in and pick up the slack.

That was the case when Marshall’s Chanel Khammarath went down with a leg injury in the Commandos’ first-round Public League playoff game Thursday against Prosser.

Enter Temya Russell, Juliunn Redmond, Arkiarra Clark and Tekia Mack. The four freshmen combined to score 44 points Saturday in Marshall’s 56-39 second-round win over Simeon at Young.

Senior Tyisha Saunders scored five points and junior Tiara Roberts seven for Marshall. Neither player scored after Roberts hit a three-pointer on Marshall’s third possession of the second quarter.

“It shows that coach [Dorothy Gaters] has a lot of confidence and faith in us,” Redmond said. “The sophomores, freshmen, juniors, we all play just as hard and we’re all equal.” After a scoreless first quarter, Redmond, who finished with 22 points, scored 10 consecutive second-half points as the Commandos (15-6) extended a 14-13 lead to 24-16.

“I’ve always been a scorer and knew that with Chanel out, I’d have to step my game up,” Redmond said.

After the Wolverines (14-11) scored the first four points of the third quarter, Marshall used its 2-2-1 pressure defense to force five turnovers and finish the quarter on a 16-4 run. Redmond scored nine in the quarter. The Commandos forced 14 turnovers.

After playing the majority of the first half in the paint, the 6-foot Redmond played on the perimeter in the second half, even bringing the ball up at times.

“This [win] gave us confidence and showed us what can happen when we play like we can,” Redmond said.

Clark added 10 points for Marshall and Mack six, while Jalisha Smith scored 11 points to lead Simeon.

The win marked the 995th in Dorothy Gaters’ career.

The Commandos face Lincoln Park in the quarterfinals Tuesday at Orr at 6 p.m.

Morgan Park 64, Raby 8: Cachet Johnson led Morgan Park (16-3) with 13 points, while Emmonie Hart scored 10 points for the Mustangs, which led 52-2 at halftime.