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Marietta men hope to get season underway tonight

File Photo Marietta College’s Lukas Isaly (3) attacks the basket during a college men’s basketball game against Baldwin Wallace last season at Ban Johnson Arena.

MARIETTA — Marietta College was fired up and ready to go last week, its sights set on finally opening the 2020-21 season.

They were forced to wait a little longer, though, as the Pioneers’ week one opponent, Otterbein, had to quarantine.

“They’ve been working really hard,” Marietta head coach Jon VanderWal said of his players.

“When I had to break the news to them (last week) that Otterbein was going to have to cancel on us, a lot of heads went down. It was tough news to hear and swallow. They’ve worked so hard and been through so much this year. They’re just ready to compete and play against somebody else.”

It looks like that chance is finally going to come this weekend against Baldwin Wallace.

The Pioneers are slated to play the Yellow Jackets at 7 p.m. tonight at Ban Johnson Arena, then travel to Berea, Ohio, for the second game at 6 p.m. Saturday. BW’s season got off to a rough start last week, dropping a pair to defending league champion Mount Union.

Marietta’s projected starting lineup features Lukas Isaly at point guard, Jason Ellis and Mason Lydic at the wings, plus Brett Martin and Tim Kreeger in the post.

It’s a group that’s tired of overcoming adversity and is just ready to play.

“Everything’s pointing in the right direction this week,” VanderWal said. “Guys have been working really hard. We’re super excited about getting a chance to finally compete against somebody else. You can only have so many intersquad scrimmages and practices.”

Look for Ryan Reidy, Karson Snyder, Jalen Greiser, Kyle Matoszkia and Sahmi Willoughby to be in the first group off the bench for the Pioneers.

For the Yellow Jackets, Anthony Mazzeo averaged 22.5 points per game on opening weekend, while Shane Zalba (14 ppg) and Drew Wennes (13 ppg) also averaged double figures.

WOMEN

The Marietta women were fortunate enough to get their first weekend of games in, splitting a pair with Otterbein.

Devin Hefner averaged 12.5 points in those two games, while Bailee Brooks added 10.5. Erin Hahn and Camille Cummins were big presences in the paint, grabbing 9.5 and 6 rebounds per game, respectively.

Olivia Gribble, Haley Ross, Hannah Schill, Makenzie Wilson, Madison Cecil, Jill Congrove, Kelly Levering and Luce Duritza all played significant minutes for the Pioneers in week one as well.

Marietta jumped all over the Cardinals in game one and held on for an 82-80 victory. Game two was a much different story as Otterbein dominated from start to finish for a 108-75 triumph.

“We’ve got to be a lot better on the defensive end,” said Marietta head coach Kole Vivian. “Otterbein shot the lights out but I think we kind of gave them some better than average scoring opportunities in that first quarter, and then they got that confidence rolling and then the hoop, instead of being how big it usually is, was as big as the ocean. With that, our offense has to be a lot better. We took a lot of quick shots on Saturday, and I think that kind of spurred (Otterbein) along on offense.”

The Baldwin Wallace women, who won the OAC last season, are off to a 2-0 start after sweeping Mount Union in week one.

Gabby Garrett leads the Yellow Jackets with 22 points per game, followed by 16 from Lilly Edwards and 10 from Sydney Snyder.

“They scored a lot of points Friday night against Mount, then on Saturday against Mount they really locked down on defense,” Vivian said. “Whenever we play them, we know it’s going to be a really good opponent. Our kids are definitely going to be ready to compete.”

Jordan Holland can be reached at jholland@mariettatimes.com.

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