Marauders man to man defense overwhelmed the Hurricanes
The Hurricanes had faced adversity all season long.   From a range of, being picked to finish in the middle of the pack to last in their district.   After a fourth place finishing in what some think is the toughest district in the state, 23-5A, Hightower was working on all cylinders.   Once in the playoffs the negative talk began again about how they wouldn’t go far and worst how they would lose to district Champion Fort Bend Travis for the fourth time.
Their best effort was not enough today, as Hightower fell to the Flower Mound Marcus Marauders 53-41 in the Class 5A Semifinals Friday night at the Frank Erwin Center.  After a painful lost in last year’s semis, the Marauders will play for a state title Saturday night at 8:30 pm at the Frank Erwin Center.
The lost halted the Hurricanes eight game winning streak.
Hightower had problems maneuvering through the Marcus defense, committing turnovers and with limited visibility at the basket.  With their hands up and out, the Marauders man to man defense was stiff.
No. 8 nationally ranked Flower Mound Marcus (38-1) got a off to a good start with a back door Ally Hoop from Nick Banyard to control the tempo early. 
Phil Forte, a good shooter scored inside and outside the arc who also led Marcus with 14 points.   But it was the Marauders dominate defense that stood tall.  Five of nine the Hurricane turnovers were steals.
Not many were surprise to see Flower Mound Marcus return to Austin, after returning twelve players from a year ago.   The beef of the starting lineup were sophomores last year.
With a lineup that included one senior and four juniors, the Marauders led 9-7 after the first quarter.
Hightower’s Johnathan Jordan’s short jumper knotted the game at 9 to start the second quarter of play. 
Austin Bianco, Connor Taggart and 6’8” center Nick Banyard combine for 27 points to surprise the Hurricanes.   Forte and Marcus Smart was expected to be in the mix of things.
Bianco drained his second trey and Smart penetrated the defense for a layup, increasing the lead 14-9. The Hurricane’s Johnathan Jordan midrange jumper, Ty’ree Williams steal and basket cut the Marauders lead to one.  But each time they would respond, this time with Forte knocking down a 3-pointer from the left baseline as he followed it up with two foul shots to stretch the lead, 19-13. An offensive board from Joshua Dumas allowed the Hurricanes to pull within four, before they held the ball for the remaining 1:00 of the half.
Two second third quarter treys from Forte opened up a nine point led, 27-19 and ultimately led to a deep hole for the Hurricanes.  With flower Mound Marcus continually making shots, Hightower could never gain much ground.
Hightower (29-8) missed 14 free throws to add to their frustration.  Johnathan Jordan led them in scoring with 20 points.
 Marcus Smart had 11 points, 9 rebounds and nick Banyard added 10 for the Marauders.