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By Carey Reeder/ Staff Writer

The Isabella High School varsity girls stunned Francis Marion on Feb.10 at Francis Marion High School taking the 2A Area 6 tournament title 69-57 for the program’s first area championship since 2018.

The Mustangs were powered by junior Amelia Fjeldstad with 33 points and 56 opportunities at the free throw line to knock off the top-10 ranked Rams.

“We played extremely hard, and I hate to use the old saying, but they did just want it more tonight,” Isabella head coach Jared Day said. “Our girls played with a lot of heart, we were outmatched and outsized, but they kept fighting hard for it.”

Isabella trailed 17-14 after the first quarter but turned up their game in the second quarter outscoring Marion 21-8 in the frame to take a 10-point lead into halftime.

The Mustangs were able to break the Marion press so well in the second quarter it forced the Rams to get out of it, which completely turned the game in Isabella’s favor.

“It was a great atmosphere in the gym,” Day said. “It was kind of a hostile environment, but the girls handled it well, and they really fed off of it.”

The game became more physical in the second half with both teams trading baskets, but the Mustangs still held a 10-point advantage after three quarters. Marion got the best of Isabella in the first half on the boards with many offensive putbacks, but the narrative switched in the second half as Isabella outrebounded the Rams.

The Mustangs stifled any Marion run in the fourth quarter and went 14-of-20 free throws in the final frame to win 69-57.

Isabella never trailed again after taking the lead in the second quarter.

Lexi Higgins scored 12 points for the Mustangs, and Deasia Wilson and Sadie Simon had nine points each.

“We have had some good wins over the years, but this is our toughest area to compete in,” Day said. “It’s the biggest win I’ve had in my 13 years here by far.”

Isabella will host the Area 7 runner up Calhoun High School in the first round of the state playoffs.