Rivalry games usually bring out the best in teams and last night's contest between Marian and Panther Valley did just that.
The Colts started off strong with 27 first quarter points and never looked back as they put a major dent in the Panthers playoff hopes with a 68-53 victory.
However, rivalry games also bring out the best in players – just ask Marian's Mark Stawick.
The senior guard entered yesterday averaging 2.05 points per game, and in Marian's first 19 games this season, Stawick combined for 39 points and five three-pointers.
Last night, Stawick buried treys on Marian's first two shots of the game and ended the first half with 16 points and four three-pointers to pace Marian to a 40-34 halftime lead.
"We always knew he could shoot the ball, but he never really had much of an opportunity," relayed Marian head coach John Patton in regards to Stawick's career night. "We ran some plays to get him some shots and he hit some big ones there in the first half to open things up."
Stawick, whose previous season-high was eight points, led Marian with a game-high 20 points.
The Colts started the game by hitting 10 of their first 16 shots from the floor, as they built a 27-16 lead after one quarter. Stawick scored 11 in the opening frame, while Chris Barletta added nine.
"This game was a lot like t