By ALEXANDER SIMONE

Staff writer

Marion girls ended their basketball season Monday night with a 54-25 substate loss at Chase County.

The Warriors started on difficult footing, getting shut out in the first quarter while Chase County put up 15 points.

The girls’ production improved after that, as the team scored 25 points between quarters two, three and four.

It proved not to be enough, though, as the Bulldogs ran the score to 34-7 by halftime.

A large part of Marion’s struggles hinged on being able to stop Chase County’s top scorers, with two players dropping 21 points on the Warriors.

One promising sign from Monday’s game was free throw shooting. Marion went 4-for-6 the first half and 5-for-6 the second half, and even outperformed the home team from the line.

Chase County also made nine free throws, but had more attempts than the Warriors, as the Bulldogs converted on 64.3%.

The second half overall held better prospects for Marion. The girls scored 18 points in the half while giving up 20. They also decreased the number of fouls, only affording the Bulldogs three free throws for the half.

Through thick and thin the Warriors demonstrated a dedication to getting several players in the scoring column. Their final game was no different, as six players managed to find the basket.

Scoring summary: Burkholder, 11 points; Jayden May, 6; Megan Neufeld, 3; Heidi Grimmett, 2; Cameron White, 2; and Alfwenna Meyer, 1.

Boys lose to Hillsboro

Marion boys’ difficult season came to a close Tuesday night in Hillsboro during the first round of the Herington substate. 

The seventh-seeded Warriors were simply no match for the lightning quick, hot-shooting Trojans, falling 69-32.

Marion’s season ends at 2-19. 

The Warriors stayed within four points in the opening minutes, but Hillsboro stepped on the gas after that, speeding to a commanding 42-16 lead at halftime after a 24-10 first quarter. 

Marion hit 33% of its shots, but 21 turnovers kept the Warriors from ever posing a threat. 

The Warriors outscored Hillsboro’s reserves 11-10 in the fourth quarter, but Marion trailed by as many as 42 before that.

Braeden Mercer scored a team-high 12 points, and playing their final games in a Warrior uniform, seniors Luke Dawson and Jaxton Tracy combined for 10 points.