Citrus’ Ariel Marsh Leads by Example

It’s been a tough stretch the past several games for the women’s basketball team, but freshman guard Ariel Marsh isn’t worried. The former Ayala High School standout knows all about bouncing back.

“I had torn both my ACLs in high school my freshman year going into my junior year and that really just taught me that you can make it through anything. I think those injuries and those hardships have made me the person I am today,” said the 5-foot-8 Marsh following Citrus’ game with Los Angeles Valley College on Wednesday night.

Marsh was named the WSC South Player of the Week earlier this season for her performance in the Barstow Tournament where her 43 points was the most ever scored by an Owl and where she averaged 29 points and 6.3 rebounds.

Despite leading the Monarchs 27-25 at halftime during Wednesday's game against Valley, the Owls could not match their opponent’s offensive intensity as Valley outscored Citrus 29-19 in the final half and ended up with a 43 percent field goal percentage, better than Citrus’ 36 percent. Citrus lost, 54-46.

The Owls may have dropped their last three games against College of the Canyons, Bakersfield and now the Monarchs, but Marsh herself continues to have an exceptional season.

On Wednesday night, Marsh tied with teammate Jasmyne Randolph as leading scorers (they each contributed with 19 points.)

Going into the game against Valley, Marsh led Citrus in scoring, averaging 21.7 points per game, she was also the leading scorer for the Owls in 14 out of the 22 games played prior to Wednesday’s game.

In addition to her skills on the court, her personal qualities are what makes her a force to be reckoned with.

“She’s a fierce competitor, she’s one of the best competitors that I’ve ever had the pleasure of ever being around,” said coach Tamara McDonald.

McDonald praised Marsh’s leadership qualities and said she was impressed with the freshman’s ability to encourage her teammates to work just as hard as she does.

“I think the biggest asset is that she can get other people to compete around her,” she said.

Amidst her many honors while playing for the Bulldogs, Marsh was named the Sierra League MVP on multiple seasons, earned All-CIF 1st team honors as a freshman, junior, and senior and still holds the Ayala High School record for most 3-pointers made.

Despite her past accomplishments, the Chino Hills native acknowledges previous trials and adversities have prepared her to cope with this season’s peaks and valleys.

“It’s been a tough season, we’ve gone through ups and downs and we’ve faced some challenges but I think that is what it’s all about and every team goes through it,” she said.

“It’s hard when things don’t pan out your way but I know that it’s just going to make us work twice as hard, and we’re going to use it as motivation, we’re not going to let it brings us down, we’re only going to work harder from this point on,” said Marsh.

The Owls are still fighting for a spot in the post-season, only two teams from the conference are selected, but despite their recent losses, the Owls are 13-10 overall and 5-3 in WSC South play. With the win, the Monarchs tied the Owls’ record at 5-3.

Mc Donald said it’s going to take a more balanced offensive contribution from the rest of the team to get Citrus back on track.

“We just gotta make adjustments, people have to step up and play better, It’s up to other people to make plays, I can’t ask anymore from her, she’s had a 43 point game, 38, I need other people to step up.”

The Owls will try to rebound on Saturday as they travel to Santa Monica and then they return home to play Glendale College on Wed. Feb. 9. Tipoff for both games is at 7 p.m.