Staff writer
Despite scoring their second-highest point total this season, the Marion High School boys basketball team lost 65-42 to Moundridge Friday at Moundridge.
“We have to hold teams under 40 points,” coach Jeff McMillin said. “Holding teams under 40 points is pretty tough.”
Dillon Richmond and Jordan Hett were the high scorers for the Warriors with 12 points each. Richmond scored with variety — at the 3-point arc, free-throw line, and around the basket.
“When he slows down, he’s effective,” McMillin said of Richmond. “He plays at one speed: overdrive. Every day we tell him to slow down.”
Moundridge jumped out to an early advantage, leading 19-6 at the end of the first quarter. But the Warriors battled back with 3-pointers by Austin Pedersen and Jacob Harper to bring the score within 12, with 3 minutes, 50 seconds left in the first half. The Wildcats ended the second quarter on an 11-5 run to lead 35-17 at the half.
“In the first half, we weren’t being aggressive and looking to score,” McMillin said.
Led by Trey Unrau, the Wildcats exploded in the third quarter, scoring 26 points to finish the frame leading by 30 points.
Although Jordan Versch and the rest of the Warrior defense held Unrau under his season average, the Moundridge junior scored a game-high 25 points. The Wildcats point guard’s scoring arsenal included drives to the basket, fade-away jump shots along the baseline, and step-back 3-pointers at the top of the key.
“He played hard against him,” McMillin said of Versch’s defense. “(Unrau) knows how to get his shots.”
McMillin pointed out turnovers and rebounds as areas for improvement. The Warriors committed 13 turnovers and were outrebounded 37 to 21. The Warriors were without their leading rebounder Dane Purkeypile.
“Dane is such a good rebounder; we’re used to when he’s in there,” McMillin said.
McMillin also pointed out the continued improvement of the entire team. As examples, sophomores Harper and Pedersen have been more aggressive offensively and taken advantage of their point-scoring opportunities.
“We’re real young,” McMillin said. “Every single person is asked to do a lot more this year. We’re going to get better.”
The Warriors play Friday at home against Hutchinson Trinity.