O-R Athlete of the Week: Makenna Marisa, Peters Township
Name: Makenna Marisa
School: Peters Township
Sport: Basketball
Class: Senior
Marisa’s week: In a 90-56 win over Hempfield, Marisa went 6-for-9 from behind the three-point line and shot 75 percent from the field to score 36 points, tying a career high she set earlier in the season against Thomas Jefferson.
She also had five rebounds, six assists and nine steals in the victory.
“We played really well as a team,” Marisa said, “and when I had my shot, I took it. Those shots just happened to fall. I didn’t know about tying my high score until afterwards. It wasn’t on my mind.”
It was the highest point total in a single game this season for Peters Township, which is second in the WPIAL in scoring with 69.1 points per game. The Indians have only been held under 60 points twice in their 12 games. Still undefeated, they are winning by an average margin of 30 points.
In the Indians’ opening game of the week, a 64-36 win over Mt. Lebanon, Marisa led all scorers with 21 points and grabbed six rebounds.
Staying put: Averaging similar numbers to her junior season, when Marisa was named to the Observer-Reporter All-District first team and the the 2017-18 Sports Writers Pennsylvania All-State Girls Team, it’s been Marisa’s improved efficiency that has made her even better through the first half of this season.
Marisa is shooting 58 percent from the field and has made 48 percent of her three-pointers in the Indians’ dynamic offense. She has scored in double-digits in all 12 games for Peters Township.
“Her shooting has been unbelievable all year long,” said Peters Township coach Bert Kendall. “She has spent so much time handling the basketball that when people try to put a quick guard on her, she isn’t phased.”
Marisa, who prioritized her family when she orally committed to Penn State in early November, has benefited from newcomers Journey Thompson and Mackenzie Lehman. The two post players have allowed Marisa to remain at her natural guard position rather than using her 5-11 height in the post.
She is averaging nearly four assists and steals per game, yet still pulling down more than five rebounds.
“It’s a lot of fun with posts that can play, move and are skilled and athletic,” Marisa said. “I knew right away when those two joined the team it was going to be a fun year. First we want to win the section, then the WPIAL and state, but it’s all about approaching it one game at a time.”