WILMINGTON — Saint Mark’s girls basketball team got started early when they met Pottstown (Pa.) on Dec. 29 at the Viking Invitational at the St. E Center. The Spartans took it to the Trojans, putting up a 52-16 win.
With the victory, the Spartans advance to the championship of their bracket. They will take on Wilmington Charter on Dec. 30 at approximately 3 p.m. Saint Mark’s defeated the Force when they met on Dec. 14 in Milltown by a score of 52-38. Charter earned their spot in the Viking Invitational final with a 55-51 win over Woodbridge.
The Spartans set the tone early, holding the Trojans scoreless in the first quarter while putting 11 points on the board themselves. Four of the five starters scored in the quarter, with Hailey Short, Leah DePaul, Lauren McDonald and Sophia Karch each hitting for two. McDonald capped the quarter with a three-pointer, extending the lead to 11.
Saint Mark’s managed just eight second-quarter points, but that was enough to offset Pottstown’s six, all of which came from the free throw line. Jayanna Hill scored all six of the Trojans’ first-half points, making six of nine free throws.
The Spartans put the game out of reach in the third. Baffone hit two threes, and she added three more points on free throws after being fouled while shooting from distance. The team’s other triple in the quarter came from freshman Olivia Markey.
Baffone led the way with 19 points, the only Spartan in double figures. McDonald had seven, and Danielle DiDomenico scored six in the fourth quarter. Saint Mark’s improved to 5-1.
Photos by Mike Lang.
