Let the chase begin.

Marian took a huge step in its quest for the top seed in the upcoming District 11 Class 2A boys basketball tournament.The Colts overcame a seven-point deficit to nail down a big 60-54 non-league victory over Jim Thorpe on Monday night.The win against a quality Class 4A Olympian team enhances Marian's seeding points and will probably allow it to overtake front running Shenandoah when the 2A rankings are updated.Where the Colts (15-2) came up big against Jim Thorpe was in the paint, where Brandon Mohammad ruled for almost the entire evening. Mohammad torched the Olympians for 19 points and a dozen rebounds, along with several key blocked shots."The last time we played them, we held Mohammed in check," said Jim Thorpe coach Jason McElmoyle about a 10-point win by his team several weeks ago. "He was the total difference this time. We couldn't check him off and he kept getting free inside."Mohammad was especially effective in the second half, when he jammed home 10 points and came up with several huge defensive plays to key the Colts comeback.Also igniting the Marian comeback was a defensive change, as it switched from a matchup zone to man-to-man to start the final eight minutes. It not only put energy into the defense, it fueled the offense as well."After three times we had to make a change," chuckled Marian coach John Patton after watching the Olympians' Brendan Carroll hit teammate Chris Micciche with several alley-oop passes behind the Colt defense, allowing Micciche to score six of his team-high 18 points.With Marian trailing 51-47 with 3:35 to play, Mohammad sank a pair of free throws that began a 6-0 run. Tyler Fritz finished the run with two more free throws that put the Colts on top for the first time since the first quarter, 53-51.Moments later Matt Elmore, who was sensational for the Olympians, was fouled and converted one of two from the line. Marian answered with Noah Stauffer taking the ball into the paint and nailing a runner that sent his team to a 55-52 lead. Fritz secured the victory a short time later with two more free throws."We hit some big shots," said Patton. "Fritz hit some huge foul shots, but maybe the biggest shot might have been Stauffer's runner. It takes a lot of guts to hit that shot, he has a lot of confidence in taking it and I have the confidence in him taking it. This is a huge win as far as districts is concerned."TOPSY-TURVEY ... It was a game of momentum swings. Jim Thorpe (10-8) had the edge early. The Olympians' three-quarters press was the key to its early control.DRAINING BUCKETS ... Besides Mohammad, Fritz tallied 12 points and Ryan Karchner added 11. For Thorpe, Elmore backed up Micciche with 15 points and Carroll tossed in 10.SHOWDOWN LOOMING ... After hosting Weatherly on Wednesday, the Colts travel to Shenandoah on Friday for a contest that will have a significant impact on both the District 11 Class 2A and Schuylkill League Division 3 races. The Colts currently hold a two-game lead, and a victory would clinch the division title.JIM THORPEMicciche 8-1-18, Elmore 6-3-4-15, Carroll 4-0-3-10, Samuel 2-0-0-6, Marykwas 1-0-0-3, Nick Rosahac 1-0-0-2,Joyce 0-0-0-0. Totals: 22-4-8-54.MARIANMohammad 8-3-5-19, Fritz 2-6-6-12, Karchner 5-1-1-11, Stauffer 3-0-0-6, Paisley 2-1-2-6, Mummey 1-0-0-2, Collevechio 1-0-0-2. Choley 0-2-2-2. Totals 22-13-16-60.Jim Thorpe 14 17 14 9 - 54Marian 14 15 11 20 - 60Three-point goals: JT - Carroll 2, Samuel 2, Micciche 1. M - Fritz 2, Paisley 1.