Alabama powerhouse Hoover was poised to sink Elizabethton’s perfect season in the Carolina Invitational in Charleston on Tuesday afternoon. However, Kayla Marosites and the Lady Cyclones had a different plan.
Marosites scored 34 points, including 26 in the first half, to propel Elizabethton to a 73-47 victory over Hoover (Ala.) in the championship game of the Palmetto Division.
After the Buccaneers edged in the opening minutes, Marosites nabbed consecutive steal and scores to give Elizabethton an 11-8 lead with four minutes to play in the first. The Lady Cyclones slowly added to their lead and an Emily Kiser 3-pointer at the buzzer sent EHS into the second quarter with a 24-18 lead.
The Lady Cyclones turned up the defensive pressure in the second quarter as they limited the Buccaneers to just one points in the frame. That allowed Elizabethton to pull out to a 37-19 lead at the half, and EHS nearly made it a 21-point lead as a Kiser half-court shot was waved off at the buzzer.
In addition to Marosites, Elizabethton saw Sarah Robinson score four points in the first half, while Kiser finished with three points.
In the second half, the Lady Cyclones picked up where they left off as they controlled the tempo of the game, and kept an athletic Hoover team at bay. Elizabethton extended the lead to over nearly 40 points before a late run cut the gap to the final margin.
For her 34 point effort, Marosites was named the MVP of the Carolina Invitational and she added 11 rebounds and five steals. Robinson ended with 13 points, while Kelci Marosites tossed in 11 points. Both Robinson and Ke. Marosites were named to the All-Tournament team. Kiser finished with eight points.
For the game, Elizabethton shot 65% from the field while limiting Hoover to 34%.
Postgame Audio
Elizabethton Head Coach Len Dugger
