By Jay Homan
Sports Correspondent
Whenever two MAC teams match up, it is sure to be an interesting game and the Marion Local--Parkway meeting was no different.

The Parkway Panthers met up with the Marion Local Flyers for a second time this season. Marion Local got the edge in the regular season, but the Panthers had something else to say. Parkway had an astonishing game to win the Division III sectionals last Friday night by a score of 53-49.
Parkway started off the first period down and continued that way throughout the period as Marion Local outscored them 16-9. However, no worry came to the Panthers. After four minutes of the second period where Marion led scoring 4-3, Parkway’s offense exploded. The Panthers were led by Josh Fisher who scored back to back threes to kick off an 18-2 run. Fisher had 15 points in the run that created Parkway’s 30-22 lead at halftime.
The second half started off for both squads as they struggled to hold onto the ball, but before long, Marion Local was back in the game after a 9-1 run. Shortly after the game was tied up, Coach Westrick benched Marion Local's Richard Winner after picking up his fourth personal foul. The Flyers managed to keep within two of Parkway's 37 points as they went into the fourth period.
Marion Local kept around the Panthers throughout the fourth period, but were never able to take a sealing win. When time was running out the Flyers had several chances to send the game into overtime, but inabilities to rebound and turnovers sealed the fate of Marion Local.
Josh Fisher led the Panthers to their sectional title win with 25 points. He was followed by teammate Jordan Thompson with 13 points.
Marion Local was led by senior Chris Stucke with 18 points, senior Jordan Schmackers with eight points, senior Alex Moeller with seven points and junior Luke Bertke with seven points. The Flyers' Winner had a disappointing final game with only three points. Winner struggled with fouls and fouled out halfway through the fourth period.
Marion Local will lose all five of their starters from this season, but will look for another chance at the MAC title and a playoff run with a group of talented youngsters rising through the ranks.