Marietta’s Hayleigh Chidester handles the ball as Warren’s Juliana Huffman (22) defends during a high school girls basketball game Tuesday in Vincent. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

VINCENT — They say winning cures all.

For Marietta, Tuesday’s 33-26 win over Warren may not cure the illnesses and injuries the Tigers have dealt with recently, but it did snap a four-game losing skid and result in one happy locker room.

“I think we matured a lot tonight,” said MHS head coach Ali Shane. “We played in an environment that’s not easy to play in. We’re coming off circumstances that aren’t easy to play through — sicknesses, injuries, things like that. I’m just so proud of their growth. I think this is the momentum we need to carry us into the next few games that we have in the last half of our season.”

After starting the season 4-4, Marietta had lost its last four games heading into Tuesday. The Tigers have had players in and out of the lineup due to sickness, including senior leader Hayleigh Chidester, who returned Tuesday to lead MHS with 11 rebounds and four assists to go along with seven points.

Warren led 9-8 late in the first quarter, but Lauren Elliott’s off-balance 3-pointer at the buzzer put the Tigers in front. They led the remainder of the contest.

Warren’s DeLaney Gates (12) looks to pass as Marietta’s Fiona Fowler (10) defends during a high school girls basketball game Tuesday in Vincent. (Photo by Jordan Holland)

“You always want to get a win to kind of break that losing streak, but it feels really good to get one against your rival,” Shane said. “It’s a rivalry that means so much to this area. I’m just so proud of the kids and the way we fought. The thing I’m most proud of is our growth.”

Warren (7-5) was once again playing without leading scorer Aubrey Pepper due to injury. Juliana Huffman led the Warriors with eight points on a night where offense was hard to come by. Down 30-21 entering the fourth quarter, Huffman’s putback with 55 seconds to go made it a six-point game, but Marietta prevented the margin from getting any closer.

The Tigers were led in scoring by Braxtyn Kroft, who posted a game-high 11 points. Fiona Fowler added eight while doing a solid job dealing with Warren’s defensive pressure.

“I told the kids that a key was going to be how we handle pressure and how we handle the basketball,” Shane said. “I thought Fiona Fowler and Blair Reed did a phenomenal job of that. Blair did not play like a freshman tonight. She was all over the place, flying around. Fiona did a phenomenal job of being our quarterback. I was super proud of those two. Braxtyn Kroft was a beast. Hayleigh Chidester was an awesome leader for us tonight. I’m just proud of our kids all around. This was a nice, well rounded team win for us.”

Chidester received player of the game honors from her coaching staff, which drew an ovation from her teammates in the locker room.

“We have this Tiger chain thing,” said Shane, whose team plays host to Newcomerstown on Thursday. “It’s so silly, but it really motivates the kids. It’s been a while since we got to give that chain out, so it felt good. The kids were excited for that, and they’re just excited to break that losing streak, as am I. I think that was well deserved, and they were excited to get hyped up. Back to positivity.”

Warren, which got five points each from Josie Venham and Danica Gates as well as a game-high five steals from DeLaney Gates, travels to Steubenville on Friday.

Warren shot 31.3% (10 for 32) from the floor, including 1 for 13 from beyond the arc. Marietta went 36.4% (12 for 33) from the field and 2 for 11 from 3.

“We’re dealing with injuries and sicknesses, and I know Warren’s dealing with some injury stuff too, losing the motor of their offense, the heart of their offense there,” Shane said. “I’ve got to give them credit. They put up a great fight. The environment was awesome here, so I just think it was fun for everybody to play in.”

Contact Jordan Holland at jholland@mariettatimes.com.