Mount Notre Dame (MND) high school is in a small suburb of Cincinnati called Reading. The private, all-girls school calls this blue collar city home. And for four years, Gabbie Marshall, Iowa’s guard and co-captain, was proud to call this town her home.
Now, with a chance to be a National Champion in another blue-collar town, Marshall has the opportunity to close out her career in her home state! And head back to Cincinnati a hero!
Photo courtesy of David Berding, Getty Images
Gabbie on the Final Four in Ohio
“It’s really exciting. Obviously, I’m in my home state so that makes it a little better . . . My dad lives here, so I’m going to have so many family members and friends in attendance at the game, so that’s a great feeling.
“I was talking earlier about how it’s kind of a full circle moment for me: I started playing basketball in Ohio and now I’m ending my career in Ohio. My final games playing basketball are going to be in my home state. So, it’s kind of cool to think about that, it kind of gives me the chills to think about how far I’ve come in my basketball career.”
Gabbie and Mount Notre Dame
The 5’9” guard won two state championships during her time at MND. She racked up numerous individual awards like three-time All-Ohio, McDonald’s All-American nominee, and the USA Today All-USA 2nd team.
Considered a three-star recruit by ESPN, she was ranked 28th for all point guards across the US. The fifth-year senior has been solid behind the arc offensively, but it’s her defensive prowess that has impressed her teammates and coach, Lisa Bluder.
“She has always worked so hard defensively,” Bluder said. “She has always denied really well, ball pressure really well and it’s something that we really count on and we always tell her to focus on that rather than the offense, because what she brings for us in the defensive end is so important.” (Courtesy of The Athletic)
Gabbie’s role for Iowa
Gabbie’s role on the team is vital. Not only is she the main weapon for defending the opponent’s best player, but her ability to hit threes from the outside allows Caitlin Clark to work anywhere on the floor. More importantly her play opens space for her mates like Sydney Affolter (who has played brilliantly for the injured Molly Davis), Hannah Stuelke and Kate Martin to average over double digits scoring.
Gabbie versus LSU
Gabbie Marshall played all 40 minutes in Iowa’s Elite 8 win over LSU.
The @MNDAthletics grad cuts down the net in Albany – heading back to the Final Four in her fifth year with @IowaWBB.
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🎥: @SEhrhardtKCCI | @WLWT | #NCAAWBB pic.twitter.com/PgdyZXCAh9— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) April 2, 2024
Gabbie played the entire forty minutes against LSU in Iowa’s win in the Elite Eight. Early in the affair, LSU had the crowd bonkers. But the only three Marshall hit was the one immediately after the LSU crowd’s antics, which quieted the LSU faithful immediately. What a competitor. Iowa never backed down thanks to that HUGE shot!
And backing up her teammate, Clark, Gabbie made sure to respond in the same manner LSU’s Angel Reese did last year when they defeated Iowa in the Final.
Gabbie Marshall trolled Angel Reese with her own taunt after she fouled out.
Read: https://t.co/0ANdf0mHw2https://t.co/0ANdf0mHw2
— Brotips (@brotips) April 3, 2024
What to expect
UConn, Iowa’s opponent tonight, will probably get a lead early. But with only six players playing for Geno Auriemma’s club, Gabbie and her squad will surpass the Huskies late in the third period on their way to another final appearance. Iowa over UConn, 80-69.
And Gabbie, her teammates, and her Ohio family and friends who traveled up I-75 will have one more weekend in Cleveland. With a chance to do what so many young girls dream of: to win a natty in your home state!
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