02/10/2025
BY JACK BULLOCK
BLUFORD – Monday night Webber Township took little time in rolling to a big early lead and added a 76-41 win over Zeigler-Royalton to the 2024-25 total in front of a large home crowd.

But for most in attendance, the outcome of the game was just a formality.

The real reason for the excitement was for Webber Township junior guard Nathaniel Marlow.

The 6-2 scoring machine surpassed a milestone few in the history of the state have ever reached.

Marlow entered Monday night's contest just 23 points shy of 2,000.

With 3:08 remaining in the second quarter, after being fouled attempting a 3-point shot, Marlow calmly nailed down three-straight free throws.

His second one was his 23rd point of the night, which allowed the game to be paused for a brief celebration of this scoring plateau.

Marlow would end up with 32-points as the Trojans improved their overall record to 21-5 with the victory.

“I didn't expect to get this many points this soon. It feels great,” said Marlow. “I have my dad pushing me every single day. I'm just constantly trying to get better.”

The rest of his teammates also got in on the scoring fun at the expense of the Tornadoes, who saw their mark fall to 7-18.

Three of the Trojans hit for double-digits in scoring for Coach Jaxon Helm.

Freshman Jacob Marlow scored 13-points for Webber and classmate Bryden Dalby added 11.

Junior Waylon Jones pitched in 10-points.

All of the points mentioned came in the first three quarters as they all got a rest during the final eight minutes of continuous clock.

Sophomore Lucas Rogers led Zeigler-Royalton with 23-points and senior River Freeman added 10.

No one else scored more than two-points for Coach David Russell's squad on Monday.

It took little time for Marlow to get to that total even though the junior hadn't seen the type of defense against him on Monday night since he was lighting up scoreboards in grade school.

Zeigler-Royalton came out in a “triangle-and-two” defense with the two guarding Marlow.

It (the gimmick) didn't work.

(CONTINUED)

Marlow broke a 6-6 tie with his first of five 3-pointers.

His brother Jacob scored nine of his points in the first quarter, taking a couple of nice assists from Jones for baskets as part of an 11-0 run that basically took care of any drama.

Marlow added to his totals with a conventional three-point play and Jacob Marlow cashed in on his only 3-pointer of the game to beat the first quarter horn as the Trojans led 27-11 at the end of the first quarter.

Ten of the first quarter points belonged to Marlow and, as it turned out, the junior was just getting warmed up.

Marlow canned three 3-pointers in the second quarter and his first two, from the top of the arc and from the left wing, inched the junior closer to history.

A rebound basket by Jacob Marlow made it 43-14 and set the stage for his brother to set off the celebration.

“He is such a great scorer that even when they throw two defenders at him, he is still going to find opportunities to score,” said Coach Helm.

Webber closed out the half with junior Kylan Moser scoring two of his four-points inside the lane and the Marlow's struck with back-to-back 3-pointers for a 54-18 halftime lead.

A 9-2 run to begin the second half, with Marlow adding his fifth 3-pointer, pushed the lead to 63-20.

A final 3-pointer from Jacob Marlow sent the teams to the fourth quarter at 70-33.

The reserves played out the final eight minutes for both squads.

One facet of the victory by Webber that should be mentioned is the defensive effort.

The Trojans forced 17-turnovers by Zeigler-Royalton, 13 in the first two quarters.

Z-R managed just 16-of-52 shooting from the floor, 2-of-16 from long range.

Marlow and Company were successful on 29-of-63 overall, 10-of-25 from the arc.

The Trojans held a slight 34-32 rebounding edge and committed just 10-turnovers, four late in the game while reserves were on the floor.

“We were preaching in the locker room tonight 'play winning basketball' and good things will happen,” said Coach Helm. “I was really proud of the way we came out and just played basketball. It was a great team effort.”