Fremont upsets top-ranked Marquette Catholic 64-51, advances to semi-state

Fremont delivered a statement win at Jerry Cook Court in Jimtown (Baugo Township / Elkhart County), knocking off top-ranked Michigan City Marquette Catholic 64-51 in the IHSAA Class 1A Jimtown Regional final on Feb. 14. Junior Mya Turner reached the 1,000-point milestone in the third quarter and finished with 26 points as the Eagles improved to 26-2 and claimed the program’s first regional crown since 1999.

Turner’s scoring attack was matched by Grace Scharlach, who contributed 20 points to Fremont’s balanced attack; sources differ on Scharlach’s class year, with some listings calling her a junior and others a senior. Fremont shot efficiently, converting 19-of-40 from the field (47.5%) and 20-of-23 at the free-throw line (87.0%), numbers that underpinned the Eagles’ second-half separation and extended a hot run that had the program winning streaks and momentum entering regional play.

Marquette finished 23-4, and the Blazers came in on a long roll, listed as an 11- or 12-game winning streak in various records, but Fremont’s defense limited outside threats and forced tough looks. Senior Laniah Davis scored 20 points and, by several accounts, grabbed nine rebounds while closing her Marquette career as the program’s all-time leading scorer with over 2,000 points; reports also note Davis as a Northern Illinois commit and a McDonald’s All-American nominee. Marissa Pleasant added 16 points and five rebounds for Marquette.

The game swung after an early Marquette burst: the Blazers led 13-5 midway through the first quarter, but Fremont led 19-18 at the quarter’s end. From there the Eagles “pulled away in the second half of a tight contest, using balanced scoring and defensive pressure” to lock down the win and the regional trophy. Kpcnews noted Fremont “kept the explosive, physical Laniah Davis in check,” and MaxPreps framed the result as payback after an earlier-season 57-25 Marquette win.

Marquette coach Katie Collignon was blunt about her team’s effort and energy after the loss. “We were down six and our heads were down, our energy wasn’t there, they were a step slow on defense. I hadn’t seen that all season long,” Collignon said. “If I knew [why], I would have fixed it … I don’t know why we felt like we were down 15 [points] the entire game ― I didn’t feel that way, but I could feel the energy from the girls.” Collignon added elsewhere, “I told the girls that we picked a really bad day to have a bad day.”

Point guard Addison Penziol reflected on Marquette’s mental approach after the game: “It’s always just a mind game; it’s just being mentally strong. I think we went out here playing in a way where we were trying not to lose. We should have played our way.” Penziol’s assessment underlined a contest where Fremont’s poise, from Turner’s milestone bucket to late free throws, made the difference.

Fremont now advances to the Class 1A semi-state and is scheduled to face Monroe Central at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21 at Huntington North High School; the winner moves on to the state championship. The Eagles leave Jimtown with a 26-2 record, a regional title second in program history, and momentum built on efficient shooting and postseason experience, including a 59-43 sectional win over Fort Wayne Blackhawk on Feb. 9 that marked their third straight sectional crown.