Girls basketball III-AA: Can Marlborough’s stars rise to the occasion?

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A look at the Southern Section Division III-AA girls’ basketball playoffs.

Who will win it all: No. 1 Magnolia over No. 3 Marlborough

I have a gut feeling about: No. 9 Windward

Analysis: This might be the toughest of the top five divisions to call. Top-seeded Magnolia has athletes, plays a tough defense and has capable scorers. I like what No. 2 South Torrance did early in the season, played some quality teams tough. Over and over coaches talk about big players shining in big games, so now the real question is whether Marlborough’s Nikki Speed and Talia Caldwell can rise to the occasion. At the beginning of the season, Marlborough would have been a no-brainer to be No. 1. Instead, it is on the verge of being one of the season’s biggest disappointments.

-- Martin Henderson

-- Image from www.floridata.com