It wasn’t the prettiest performance of Marqueska Deramus’s career, but the Verbena post player still scored a game-high 17 points in Tuesday’s 45-20 win over Isabella.

Such is the skill of a player who was recognized before the game for eclipsing the 1,000-point mark in her four-year career.

Deramus now has scored 1,128 points in a Red Devils uniform.

“She’s adjusted to every kind of defense we’ve seen,” VHS coach Nicole Ivey said. “She’s not just a post player; she has brought the ball down the court for us.”

Deramus succinctly states her goal for each game (“Being dominant down low,” she said), but she also knows she has a responsibility as one of the team’s two seniors to help her younger teammates improve so they can carry the torch next year and beyond.

“They’re going to have to step it up,” she said.

The Isabella defense held Deramus and her teammates in check for the first half of Tuesday’s game, as the score was tied at 13 at intermission.

Consecutive three-pointers by Lacey Short and Lakeyn Edwards broke the game open, 27-17, at the end of the third quarter, and the Devils went on to improve their record to 7-0.

The contest was plagued by fouls. There were 41 personal fouls and three of the technical variety.

Jameshia Green had 12 points for Verbena in the game.

Isabella was paced by Savannah Higgins’ nine points.

Verbena’s boys also won, 56-46.

T.J. Ray led the Red Devils with 21 points, and teammate Jaryus Wilson had 18 points.

Deonte Campbell scored 21 points for Isabella.