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Lehman continues showing promise in Jersey Shore’s loss against Selinsgrove

By Chris Masse 6 min read

JERSEY SHORE--Marlee Lehman excitedly envisioned playing high school basketball the last few years. Turns out the reality of doing so is so much better.

Lehman has made a massive impact as a Jersey Shore freshman point guard. She has helped a team which graduated four decorated seniors remain one of District 4 AAAA’s premier teams, while frequently filling up the stat sheet.

Again, Lehman enjoyed the moment Wednesday night against Selinsgrove. Just not the result.

Lehman scored a game-high 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds, but Selinsgrove parlayed a dominant first half into a 49-41 win. Jersey Shore (8-6, 3-2 HAC-I) lost for the first time in three games against Selinsgrove this season, but did fight back, cutting a 16-point deficit to eight twice. Still, Lehman was doing what she enjoys most and is excited about what lies ahead if Jersey Shore builds off its second-half performance.

"I’m having so much fun," Lehman said. "I don’t think I ever dreamed of this moment, but it’s awesome."

Lehman and her teammates have made some impressive moments thus far and did their best to create another, putting together multiple second-half bursts. Selinsgrove, though, answered each time, made 9 of 12 foul shots late and continued its recent hot stretch as it fights its way back into the 4A playoff picture.

Lehman is one of four new Jersey Shore starters, doing so a year after playing junior high basketball. That is a steep learning curve itself, let alone learning a new position. Lehman was moved from the wing early this season to point guard and has adapted well there.

This was the second time in three games that Lehman finished just a rebound from collecting a double-double. Doing so again highlighted her speed and tenacity since she was one of the smallest players on the court both times. She also scored nine fourth quarter points, doing all she could to fuel a comeback.

"She puts the work in. I’ve seen a lot of growth from her mentally and working with her as a point guard, she grew from game four through game eight a lot," Jersey Shore coach Mike Schall said. "The strides she’s taken with her mental toughness and the way she is able to run and read the floor are impressive and we’ve been proud of her."

Lehman can shoot the ball well and is tough off the dribble. She also has good vision and, most of all, is a hustler who makes things happen on both ends. Nothing has come easy, especially with Jersey Shore playing a demanding schedule, but Lehman has embraced the work and turned into quality results.

That continued against Selinsgrove with Lehman scoring four straight points to open the fourth quarter and make it a 12-point game. She later connected on a corner 3-pointer, stole the inbounds base and scored seconds later off a baseline drive as Jersey Shore cut a 13-point deficit to 45-37 with 80 seconds remaining.

"It (big situations) is my favorite part of playing basketball," Lehman said. "I thought we were coming all the way back because once someone makes a big play, we all get motivated and we all get on the same track. We all know how to flow right and once we get our rhythm, we can be unstoppable."

Selinsgrove looked that way throughout the first half, going on a 17-2 run between the first and second quarters which turned an early four-point deficit into a 15-point advantage. The Bulldogs would not close within single digits until that late Lehman five-point flurry.

The Seals did not reach 30 points in the first two games against Jersey Shore but brilliantly executed their game plan and led 27-14 at halftime. A Kylie Schall 3-pointer made it 33-22 midway through the third quarter, but Selinsgrove scored the final five points and led by 16 entering the fourth.

"It’s the third time of the season we have seen them and the ways we got out-executed we prepared for," Schall said. "We know how well-coached Selinsgrove is and how well they execute, so you really have to give them credit for the way they exposed our breakdowns.

"There’s only one thing to do, learn and grow from it."

Lehman has done that a lot this season, contributing in all areas. She set the early tone in a comeback win at Montoursville Monday and never cracked when the pressure was turned up against Selinsgrove. She added two assists, harassed Selinsgrove’s guards throughout the second half made shots in key moments.

Lehman was hard on herself afterward, saying she wish she could have done more, but the point guard already has done quite a lot, helping Jersey Shore achieve what it has.

"I’ve learned more than anyone could say," Lehman said. "I’ve learned a lot and I can thank my coaches and teammates for that."

Fellow freshman Sadie Schall also has made a major impact in her debut season and made a run at a double-double with nine points, nine rebounds and three assists. Kylie Schall scored eight points, and Leena Loomis grabbed five rebounds.

Kylie Schall banked in a 3-pointer with 1:45 remaining which made it a 10-point game before finding Gracelyn Frantz inside who pulled Jersey Shore within, 47-39 at the 37-second mark. The Seals, however, were outstanding at the foul line, especially late and Karsen Dodge sank two free throws and sealed victory.

Still, Jersey Shore fought on, highlighting its grit with Frantz scoring off a putback a split second before time expired.

"They didn’t quit. They fought," Schall said. "Offensively we’ve been really growing, and we didn’t show that tonight. Even defensively, we weren’t fundamentally responsible and the next session will be just as beneficial for 45 minutes of film as it would be for 45 minutes with a ball in our hands."

"You have to keep pushing hard and keep going," Lehman said. "I think tomorrow’s practice is going to be hard but very motivating and strong."

SELINSGROVE (49)

Madi Merrell 4 4-4 13, Karsen Dodge 4 2-4 11, Grace Morrone 1 6-8 8, Lake Dent 5 0-0 10, Maddy Benner 2 1-2 5, Sabrina Presgraves 0 2-2 2. Totals 16 15-20 49.

JERSEY SHORE (41)

Marlee Lehman 6 2-5 16, Sadie Schall 3 0-0 9, Kylie Schall 3 0-0 8, Avery DePasqua 1 0-0 3, Gracelyn Frantz 2 1-2 5, Leena Loomis 0 0-2 0, Azelyn Dincher 0 0-0 0. Totals 15 3-9 41.

Selinsgrove 11 16 11 11--49

Jersey Shore 7 7 8 19--41

3-pointers: Selinsgrove 2 (Merrell, Dodge); Jersey Shore 8 (S. Schall 3, Lehman 2, K. Schall 2, DePasqua).

Records: Jersey Shore 8-6, 3-2 HAC-II.

Starting at /week.