If Paul Brutto made a New Year’s resolution, it likely had nothing to do with his Marian girls’ basketball team.

Brutto’s Fillies closed out 2018 on a tear, recording two impressive victories to capture the Lebanon Catholic Holiday Tournament title.

Taking the floor on Friday night for the first time in 2019, it looked like the Fillies hadn’t missed a beat.

Marian put together another well-rounded effort to roll past Schuylkill League Division 3 rival Shenandoah Valley 55-19 for its third straight win.

“We’re on an upward tick,” Brutto said with a smile.

The Fillies (6-2) took off in the second quarter.

Leading 11-3 after the opening period, Marian exploded for 27 points in the second frame to take a 38-7 lead into halftime and control of the game.

Julia Kreisl scored 11 of her game-high 13 points for the Fillies in the second period.

“I feel like tonight was really good for our girls, because everyone was really working together, and I feel like that’s something that we were lacking a little bit in the beginning of the season, and everyone’s really starting to come together,” said Kreisl. “Everyone’s excited for each other when we’re scoring.

“It felt good because we put a lot of work in as a team. We’ve been in the gym 24/7; basically the season doesn’t end, so it was really nice to finally see some results.”

Kreisl hit three of the Fillies’ seven 3s in the contest, all in the second quarter. Macy Alansky added nine points.

“We have a size advantage on a team like Shenandoah, and when our kids like Macy and Julia hit some 3s, it really gives other teams some trouble,” said Brutto. “When you can find that balance inside-out, then you’ve really got something going on.

“And we just executed the things we wanted to do. We were active; our big people were much more active than they were earlier in the year. So I was happy with a lot of things. But really happy with how we shared the ball, and supported each other.”

Isabella Schwabe and Emma McClafferty gave Marian a dominant presence inside and provided eight points apiece. Emily Shaud tallied seven points.

“I think we really worked well as a team, and I feel like we’re really coming together,” said Alansky. “When the bigs have a good night, they’re good. I know if the guards have an off night, the bigs are gonna do it; if the bigs have an off night, the guards are gonna do it. It’s just really good teamwork.”

Victoria Donovan scored nine of her 11 points for the Blue Devils (3-6) in the second half. Shenandoah shot just 3-for-15 in the first two quarters, and had seven turnovers in the opening period.

“I really respect Shenandoah,” said Brutto. “Chris (Conroy) is a good coach, and they do their stuff well.

“We just played real well tonight. We came out hitting shots, and playing well. Our press bothered them a little bit.”

HOME SWEET HOME

… Friday was Marian’s first contest in Hometown since a 42-33 win over Lake Lehman on Dec. 15. The Fillies played two straight away games before competing in the Lebanon Catholic Tournament on Dec. 28 and 29 to close out the year.

LOOMING

… After traveling to Lincoln Leadership Academy today, Marian will hit the road again on Monday for a showdown with division rival Weatherly. The Wreckers entered play Friday at 6-2.

SHENANDOAH VALLEY

Demalis 1-0-0-2, Hysock 0-0-0-0, V. Donovan 5-1-3-11, Gottshall 0-0-0-0, Rodnick 1-0-2-2, Conroy 1-1-2-4, Buchanon 0-0-0-0, A. Donovan 0-0-0-0. TOTALS: 8-2-7-19.

MARIAN

Kreisl 4-2-2-13, Shaud 3-0-0-7, Walsh 0-0-0-0, Digris 2-0-0-5, Possessky 0-0-0-0, Alansky 4-0-0-9, Murray 1-0-0-3, Schwabe 4-0-0-8, McClafferty 4-0-2-8, Shimko 1-0-0-2. TOTALS: 22-2-4-55.

Shenandoah 3 4 5 7 - 19

Marian 11 27 9 5 - 55

Three-pointers: Shenandoah - Conroy 1. Marian - Kreisl 3, Shaud 1, Digris 1, Alansky 1, Murray 1.