‘Selfless’ Marburger Leads Horns to New Heights, Is Newest County Athlete of Week

Schulenburg senior basketball player Morgan Marburger was a member of the Lady Horns state tournament team last year and also has had plenty of success with the team this year. She’s been a part of three straight district titles, along with a staggering 39 game win streak in district games. Marburger also showcased a relentless defensive performance in a game against Weimar recently where Schulenburg came out on top with a final score of 36-27. “Honestly, she’s probably been the most selfless kid that I’ve ever coached”, said Schulenburg head girl’s basketball coach Phillip Eddins.

“She’s been plenty good enough to start for anybody in this area for the past three years. Because of some of the kids we’ve had and the role we’ve had her play, she’s always came off the bench for us. She’s been six man of the year the last two years in our district. She honestly could’ve been a starter for anyone.

“She’s our lockdown defender for us, period. Regardless of who we play, she’s going to guard their best guard. Last week when we played Weimar, to win the game, we had to keep Malarie Mican from hurting us and beating us and she held her to, I believe it was, four points. Her season average is somewhere around 10 to 12. Morgan does that on a nightly basis. When you look at her stats for the year, she doesn’t always score a ton of points, but she always outscores the person that she’s guarding, period. That’s what her role is. She’s also our point guard. She gets us in and out of offenses. She knows what’s going on on the floor 99.9% of the time. She can coach it. If I wasn’t there, she could easily get us into the right stuff out on the floor. I have no fears about that at all. She’s an awesome, awesome, awesome kid.”

Marburger’s consistent awareness and knowledge of the game has landed her the nomination for this editon’s Player of the Week.

Question: What would you say is the most important part about the game of basketball?

Answer: “For me, I would say for sure attitude. Some of the best teams aren’t always the most athletic. But I think the way that you gel with your team and the way that you guys work together, especially if it’s cohesive. I think attitude for sure is one of the most important parts of being successful.”

Question: How does your mindset change when it comes to the playoffs?

Answer: “I really try not to let playoffs change my mindset just because it’s still a game. And of course there is always a chance of it being your last game. But I try to stay calm when going into playoffs and just kind of keep the same mindset. Just go out there, play my best, and hopefully everything will work out.”

Question: What’s your favorite memory from this season?

Answer: “I would probably say just all the practices. I think we’ve all made so many inside jokes already and it’s crazy to think that district is already over and now we’re moving into playoffs. I can’t really think of just one time because with these girls, we all get along so well. So I think any memories that we make together are my favorites.”

Question: How does this year’s team compare to last year’s state tournament team?

Answer: “Last year’s team, of course we were super successful and I love that team. I think it’s just different because of the different leadership qualities that we have. Last year’s senior class is for sure different than this one. I feel like this senior class, there’s three of us compared to what it was last year. We had a couple more seniors on the team. But I feel like the qualities that each of us have are different than last year’s.”

Question: What’s your motivation behind playing sports?

Answer: “Just to make everyone proud. I think that’s my main thing. I don’t ever want to disappoint anyone. I always want to put my best foot forward. I think I’m always kind of trying to prove myself. Make sure that I earn my spot. Nothing’s given. Everything is always earned.”

Question: What’s your favorite show series?

Answer: “I love The Bachelor. One of my friends comes over every Monday and we watch it. I love All American but I’m kind of sad because we don’t have CW anymore. So I can’t watch the new season. But on Netflix, it’s Outer Banks. I think that’s it. But I love The Bachelor.”

Question: If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would buy?

Answer: “Probably my college education. Save some money there. I feel like I would donate a lot of it. I feel like I have everything I could ever want.”

Question: What are your plans after high school?

Answer: “I’m going to Texas A&M and I’ll major in agricultural communications and journalism. I’ll join a bunch of student orgs, but I don’t know if I’ll rush or anything. Texas A&M all the way.”

Question: If you could add a place of your choice to the city of Schulenburg, what kind of place would you add?

Answer: “I love T.J. Maxx because I like to shop. I think food wise, I love Italian food. I know we just got the new Italian restaurant, but I would love an Olive Garden here.”

Question: What would you say is the best personality trait about yourself?

Answer: “I feel like I’m pretty friendly and I can kind of adjust to anyone that I’m around. I feel like I’m outgoing as well. That I can kind of make friends with whoever. I think one of the main things I like about myself is that I can be inclusive. I feel like I do a good job of kind of making everyone feel included.”

Marburger’s thoughtfulness and leadership on and off the court has helped leave a legacy for Lady Horn’s basketball that will always be remembered.