Farmington Hills, Warren

Quick start, early lead guides Mercy to big win against Regina

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Andrew Potter Mercy's Paige Roberts dribbles around a defender during the Jan. 15 home game. The Marlins got out to an 11-0 lead early on, and never looked back, winning 56-40. Photo by Andrew Potter Mercy's Paige Roberts dribbles around a defender during the Jan. 15 home game. The Marlins got out to an 11-0 lead early on, and never looked back, winning 56-40.

FARMINGTON HILLS — Three steals, a forced throwaway and five buckets led to an early advantage.

After that, the Farmington Hills Mercy basketball team never looked back.

The Marlins jumped out to an 11-0 lead against Warren Regina Tuesday night in a Catholic High School League showdown, and parlayed it to a 56-40 win, earning their eighth victory as the regular season officially hit the halfway mark.

“This was a good win. We’d been struggling at the start of games lately, going back to before Christmas,” said Mercy coach Gary Morris. “It was nice to start quick, have that lead after the first quarter and take things from there.”

After Regina won the opening tip, Mercy forced a turnover leading to Taylor Jones scoring the game’s first bucket, uncontested. Regina turned it over on three of its next four possessions, aiding the Marlins’ double-digit lead.

"It was a frustrating game,” Regina coach Diane Laffey said.

Regina turned the ball over 18 times in the first half and 30 for the game.

“You’re not going to win too many games doing that,” Laffey added.

“The word I would use is ‘energy,’” Morris said. “We came out ready to go. We were very good defensively, and then we turned the turnovers into some easy shots.”

Mercy led 21-8 after the first quarter, 32-18 by halftime and 46-27 after three.

Candice Leatherwood and Allie Gorcyca scored 12 each to lead Mercy. Jones scored 10, while Sierra Wangler had six points and six rebounds.

Mercy, 8-2 overall and 2-1 in the Central Division, is at Dearborn Divine Child at 7 p.m.
Friday night in a rematch of last year’s Catholic League championship.

“Very pleased right now with where we are,” Morris said. “It’s only going to get tougher, but that’s life in the Central. We’re going to try and get better every night.”

Becca Sabol led Regina with 13 points. Erin Nelson added 12.

Regina (3-6, 0-3) is at Birmingham Marian at 7:30 p.m. Friday night.

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038. Follow Mike on Twitter.