Marian Basketball Earns National Ranking in USA Today Poll

Expectations were high for the Marian High School varsity basketball team coming into this season, and the Mustangs have not disappointed.

Prior to Tuesday's tough-luck loss to rival Farmington Hills Mercy on a late 3-pointer, Marian was undefeated and climbed all the way to No. 12 in the USA Today high school sports rankings. The Mustangs are 11-1 overall and 4-1 in the Catholic High School League's (CHSL) Central Division.

Team leaders Kara Holinski, a junior, sophomore Bailey Thomas and senior Laura Bruton, recently talked with Channel 4 about the success they've had on the court and how the team is coming together for another deep playoff run after the Mustangs clinched their CHSL title in three seasons last year. And they're doing it humbly with a focus on the team, rather than personal goals.

"When you have leaders on the floor, you everyone working their best to improve the team," Holinski said. She scored 7 points in Marian's 40-38 loss.

There's little time to dwell on the defeat, as the Mustangs host Ladywood High School Friday at 7 p.m. in a rematch of a 63-25 win earlier this month.