Source: Observer/Eccentric

Author: Dan O'Meara

Farmington Hills Mercy secured second place in the Catholic League Central Division with its 62-39 win over host Livonia Ladywood in girls basketball Friday.

The Marlins, who finished 5-3 in division play, will play either Pontiac Notre Dame Prep or Allen Park Cabrini in the league tournament at 4 p.m. next Saturday at Riverview Gabriel Richard.

Seniors Taylor Jones, Sierra Wangler and Zora Pullen had well-rounded performances for Mercy (12-3).

Jones and Pullen were the leading scorers with 14 and 13 points, respectively. Jones also had seven rebounds, five steals and five assists.

Wangler contributed seven points, six steals and six assists. Marisa Hardenbergh also scored seven points; Jordyn Schluter added six. Pullen pulled down five rebounds.

Maggie Shirk, Erika Selakowski and Ally Audia netted six points apiece for the Blazers, who are 1-6 in the division and 5-8 overall.

Mercy raced to a 21-7 lead after one quarter and was ahead at halftime, 39-13. Ladywood nearly doubled its three-quarter point total with 18 in the fourth after the game was decided.

“I thought we came out and played very well,” Mercy coach Gary Morris said. “I liked how we shared the basketball, made the extra pass and found the open player. As a result, it led to some nice looks for us.”