The two lone Marian seniors are more than just the veteran leaders.

They're best friends.Vanessa Whitecavage and Savanna Krushinsky showcased their lifelong chemistry during one final Fillies' home game, en route to a 49-29 Schuylkill League toppling of Nativity.In December's meeting between the two rivals, both Marian seniors combined for 25 of the team's 43 points. Tuesday wasn't much different, as the best friends poured in 29 of the Fillies' 49."We were best friends since kindergarten," explained Krushinsky. "We started playing in about second or third grade and we've been playing together all these years. She (Whitecavage) was at Minersville her freshman year and she came here after and we clicked really well. We've had that bond, she's like a sister to me and we feed off of each other."Whitecavage stole the show in the first period, scoring 11 points and dropping a trio of three-pointers.She said, "We shot the ball really well, but we distributed and made some nice passes to each other. Whoever gets the open shot (should take it) - it could be me, it could anybody."The Fillies wouldn't have had all of their opportunities on offense if it wasn't for their ferocious defense. Marian was conservative for the first six minutes of the game, but called upon the full court pressure with two minutes left to play in the initial quarter. The Fillies went on a 15-3 run in the first frame and created 13 first half turnovers."We get a lot of fast breaks and we run the court pretty well," explained Whitecavage. "I'm able to see the court and get the ball to the open girl when she's running. Tonight's game will give us a bunch of momentum heading into leagues and districts. We're working really well as a team right now, which brings us even closer together."Nativity's Mallory Sanders supplied about half of her team's offense with 14 points."They're an extremely talented team, we struggled all year," said Nativity head coach George Forney. "They're one of the better teams in the state. I give all the credit in the world to them."DEFENSE FIRST... Marian held Nativity to just one field goal in the third quarter. The Fillies' normal rotation forced 19 turnovers within the first three quarters that they played.Krushinsky explained, "Coach Brutto says in practice that it all starts with defense. We need to get stops on defense before we can even score on offense. It's our mindset to get the stop and then we'll do what we need to do on the other end."THE NEXT CHAPTER... Whitecavage and Krushinsky may have played their last regular season game together as Fillies, but there are more baskets to be made. Marian will take on the winner of the Blue Mountain-Pottsville game in the Schuylkill League playoffs.Whitecavage said, "It was senior night and it was great moving on with my best friend that I've been playing together with since kindergarten. It feels great getting the win for my teammates and coaches over our rivals."NATIVITYFimerofsky 0-0-0-0, Hayes 0-0-0-0, Macacusky 2-0-0-5, Tobash 0-0-0-0, Sanders 6-0-0-14, Klembara 0-0-0-0, Ulsh 0-0-0-0, Carpanito 0-0-0-0, McClure 0-0-0-0, Simons 0-2-4-2, Starr 0-0-0-0, Strausser 1-3-4-6, Clarkey 1-0-0-2.TOTALS: 10-5-8-29.MARIANJoseph 0-0-0-0, Erbe 0-0-0-0, Whitecavage 6-0-0-17, Correale 1-0-0-3, Schwabe 0-0-0-0, Agosti 0-2-2-2, Krushinsky 4-3-6-12, Raabe 2-0-0-4, Karnish 3-0-0-7, Stoyer 1-2-2-4.TOTALS: 17-7-10-49.Nativity 6 7 4 12 - 29Marian 15 16 16 2 - 49Three-pointers: Nativity - Macacusky 1, Sanders 2, Stausser 1; Marian - Whitecavage 5, Correale 1, Krushinsky 1, Karnish 1.