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Old Forge boys, girls defending multiple titles

The Old Forge girls’ won their second consecutive Marseco Memorial Crown last season. Picture above are Alyssa Karlak and Sarah Fife. Fife returnes for her senior season and a possible three-peat.

If the 2008 version of the annual Anthony “Badger” Marseco Memorial Boys’ and Girls’ Tip-off Tournament is anything like last year’s, get ready for a thrilling start to the high school basketball season.
Four of the eight games in 2007 were decided by five points or less, including the Old Forge boys’ miraculous come-from-behind win over Pittston Area to claim its fifth consecutive Marseco Tournament Title.
Trailing by 16 points to start the fourth quarter, the Blue Devils rallied behind 16 fourth-quarter points from Kyle McMyne and 10 from Mark Alexander to defeat the Patriots, 59-57.
It was the biggest rally in Marseco Memorial history.
The eighth annual tournament starts Saturday at 2 p.m. with girls’ action when Lakeland takes on 2007 consolation winner Pittston Area in the debut of Lady Pats coach Amy Hughes. Last season Wyoming Area coach Mike Judge debuted with a 50-46 win over the Lady Chiefs in the tourney opener.
The Lady Warriors take on two-time defending champ Old Forge in the 4 p.m. game. The Blue Devils were one win from the PIAA Class 1A Eastern Finals last season and have all of their major players returning. Old Forge won a defensive battle in the opener over PA last season, 22-17.
On the boys’ side, Pittston Area tips off at 6 p.m. against tourney newcomer Northwest. The Rangers replace Lake-Lehman after the Black Knights opted out after just one season. The Patriots hammered Lake-Lehman 59-27 in the opener last season.
Wyoming Area and Old Forge close out Saturday’s opening day with the 14th annual “Badger Game” at 8 p.m. The Blue Devils have won five consecutive “Badger Games” over the Warriors en route to five straight tournament titles. WA won an exciting, snow-delayed overtime consolation game over Lehman last season, 52-48.
Consolation and championship games will take place on Sunday, beginning with the girls’ consolation at 1 p.m. The boys’ consolation will be played at 3 p.m.
The girls’ championship game will be played at 5 p.m. followed by the boys’ title tilt at 7 p.m.
Badger Buckets
Old Forge leads the boys’ side of the tournament with five titles and a 12-4 record. The Blue Devils have not lost a game in the Marseco Memorial Tournament since 2002 when Wyoming Area won the “Badger Game” 49-46…. The Warriors have yet to win a Marseco Memorial Title despite making it to two championship games, and are 6-10 overall. WA lost to Pittston Area, 55-47, in its last title appearance in 2002…. The Patriots only title came in 2002 and are 8-8 overall in Tournament play…. On the girls’ side, Old Forge and Pittston Area are both 8-8 with two titles each. The Blue Devils have won the last two titles with the Lady Pats winning theirs in 2005 and 2003. PA has advanced to a five title games…. WA is also 8-8 with one title to their credit. The Lady Warriors have advanced to a girls-best six tournament championship games…. Lakeland is 0-2 in the tournament after replacing Seton Catholic a year ago…. WA’s Tyrell George owns the single-game scoring record in the tourney with 33 points. Old Forge’s Krista Renzi scored 32 in a game to lead the girls.