DANVILLE — When Schlarman Academy sophomore Janelle Marion was younger, she dedicated much of her time to practicing ballet. Through the art, she was able to learn balance, how to focus, and received the tools necessary to fine tune her leaping ability.

But what she might have never anticipated is that it would one day carry over to the basketball court.

Without checking the official stats, Hilltoppers coach Keith Peoples estimates that Marion is the team’s leading rebounder. And despite often being one of the smallest girls on the court in Monday’s 60-30 regional quarterfinal win over Judah Christian, Marion proved to be one of the most dynamic players on the floor finishing with game-highs in both points (15) and rebounds (16).

By the end of the first quarter, Marion had already recorded nine rebounds and seven points.

“The most important thing we stress to her pregame and during practice is come in focused and playing with a sense of urgency,” Peoples said. “When she plays with a sense of urgency, she can come in and dominate the game. I think the last couple games she’s come in too relaxed. But we all must play with a sense of urgency. When she plays like she played today, we all play well.”

Marion scored a combined 10 points in her previous two games, but entered Monday’s contest set to prove a point. Regardless of the opponent, the Hilltoppers play determined to prove, reach, and exceed their potential.

“It’s all about pride to me,” Marion said. “It’s all about pride to my team. Our motto is ‘Respect All, Fear None.’ We just wanted to come out and show everyone what we can do and what our mindset was the entire season. I’m glad we proved it tonight.”

Every player that dressed for Monday’s game saw time on the floor. While the Hilltoppers entered a total of 13 players into the game, the Tribe played six. Depth was without question in favor of the Hilltoppers, but they refused to take that aspect of the game for granted.

Schlarman led 19-5 after the first quarter, and held a 42-point advantage with one minute, 30 seconds to go in the third quarter. By then, the Hilltoppers starters were all resting comfortably on the bench.

Sydne Bryant (five rebounds) and Tanna Petersak each finished with eight points, and Laura Gross had 10 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. The Hilltoppers’ bench accounted for 17 points and 21 of Schlarman’s 60 rebounds.

The win was the fourth in the last five games for the Hilltoppers who will now have a much tougher task in Wednesday’s 8:10 p.m. semifinal game against Armstrong-Potomac.

In their previous two meetings this season, Armstrong-Potomac defeated Schlarman 38-32 and 46-37 respectively

“Armstrong is a very disciplined team,” Peoples said. “They have a remarkable player in Brooke (Markwalder). She is the engine of that team.

“This is a good momentum builder for us, but we cannot underestimate Armstrong regardless of if we’re playing here on our home floor,” Peoples continued. “They’re a good team. They’re a force to be reckoned with.”

The Trojans ended the Hilltoppers’ season last year with a 49-47 regional semifinal win. It will be the fourth time in the last 10 years Armstrong-Potomac and Schlarman have faced each other in a regional. The Hilltoppers won the 2007 meeting 44-40.