It's not often a promising sign when a team graduates eight players, all of whom played major roles for a program that's advanced to the state semifinals each of the past three seasons. But if Marion's home debut on Thursday night is any indication, then the 2023-2024 Lady Patriots may have more of a reloading chore on their hand rather than a full-on rebuild. Marion erased an early deficit, held off a third-quarter rally, and pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 68-56 victory over perennial state tournament team Little Rock Parkview inside Fidelity Bank Arena. “I'm really happy for the girls. They stuck with it tonight,” said Marion coach Shunda Johnson. “We didn't always play well or smart tonight, but I think that will come once everyone really knows the system. Right now, our team knows it on paper. They can draw it out and tell you where they need to be, but it doesn't always translate to the court. That was the case tonight, too at times, but we saw more good than bad.” Marion evened its season record at 1-1 behind senior point guard Ny'Asia Jackson's game-high 20 points and eight assists, while sophomore Jada Cheers added 14 points and junior Ayanna Hayes chipped in with 12 of her own. Sophomore guard Kristyn Cooper paced the Parkview Patriots with 15 points, while Kirsten Johnson hit for 14, and Kennedy McCray contributed with 12. A fast-paced first quarter saw Cheers hit six points, while sophomore Madison Glaspie added five, as Marion led 21-15 after eight minutes. Parkview worked within two points twice in the second period, but six points from Hayes and four from Jackson helped Marion open up a 38-26 lead at halftime. The visitors scored the first seven points of the third period and got within two points late in the frame, but Marion again pulled away late for a 58-39 lead entering the fourth. Junior Joniya Lewis helped Marion salt the game away with six points in the fourth quarter. Marion returns home to host Briarcrest Christian on November 28 for a junior varsity/varsity doubleheader that will tip off at 5 p.m. That contest will be broadcast live on MarionPatriots.com and on the Marion Patriots Activities Network mobile app.