Marion Center is 9-1 against Purchase Line since January of 2021 and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Friday. The Marion Center Stingers just played yesterday, but they'll still head out to face the Purchase Line Red Dragons at 7:15 p.m. Marion Center is strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 54.3 points per game this season.
Marion Center will head into Thursday's match hoping to keep the good times rolling: they had to skate by with only a three-point margin when they last took the court, which might have inspired the 31-point drubbing they dealt Harmony Area on Thursday. Marion Center really took it to Harmony Area for the full four quarters, racking up a 73-42 win. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest victory the Stingers have posted since December 15, 2023.
| 01/23/25 @ Harmony Area | 5 |
| 01/14/25 vs Cambria Heights | 4 |
| 01/10/25 @ Conemaugh Township | 6 |
| 01/08/25 vs Conemaugh Valley | 3 |
| 01/07/25 @ Homer-Center | 3 |
Marion Center relied on the efforts of Kamden Rozier, who went 12 of 21 en route to 25 points and three steals, and Cameron Pack, who dropped a double-double on 14 points and ten assists. Pack has been hot for a while, having also posted two or more steals the last ten times he's played. Another player making a difference was Mason Desmond, who dropped a double-double on 16 points and 12 rebounds.
They weren't the only one working in the assists department: Marion Center was working as a unit and finished the game with 21 assists. That's the most assists they've posted since back in January of 2024.
Meanwhile, Purchase Line was not able to break out of their rough patch last Tuesday as the team picked up their sixth straight defeat. They were outmatched by Northern Cambria and fell 61-25. The game marked the Red Dragons' lowest-scoring contest so far this season.
Marion Center will need focus on slowing down Ian Layden, one of several Purchase Line players who made an impact when they last played. He posted eight points. Micah Lotson also deserves some recognition as he posted his first assist of the season.
Marion Center's win bumped their record up to 5-10. As for Purchase Line, their loss dropped their record down to 2-13.
Rebounding is likely to be a big factor in this contest: Marion Center has been crashing the boards this season, having averaged 26.8 rebounds per game. However, it's not like Purchase Line struggles in that department as they've been averaging 21.7 boards. With both teams battling to corral missed shots, we'll see if one team can grab an edge.
Everything came up roses for Marion Center against Purchase Line in their previous matchup back in December of 2024, as the squad secured a 67-40 victory. The rematch might be a little tougher for Marion Center since the team won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
