Staff writer
Marion basketball had it rough in the Heart of America/Central Plains League challenge Thursday and Friday.
The girls lost their toughest game of the season at home Thursday to Douglass 51-42. Despite playing a tight game against the Bulldogs on the scoreboard, Marion lost three of the four quarters.
The boys’ game Friday in Belle Plaine was a tough defeat as well, losing to the Dragons 62-58.
The loss drops the girls to 1-5, while the boys sit at 4-2 after Friday’s game.
The Moundridge Wildcats came to town Tuesday for Marion’s final tilt before Christmas break.
Girls
Team production was well distributed in the first half, with four players contributing points. Chloe Burkholder led the team for the half, hitting all three of her 3-pointers.
They trailed the Bulldogs 20-19 in the second quarter, but surrendered a turnover to give Douglass a fast break layup in the waning seconds of the half.
Marion committed several untimely turnovers, but they cut down on their total. The hometown girls committed 17 turnovers, their lowest of the season.
Megan Neufeld added a pair of points for the Warriors, but the bulk of her work came cleaning up under the hoop. She pulled down five rebounds in the opening half, and added four boards in the second.
The hammer fell for Neufeld when she got her last foul in the final two minutes of the game.
“She was playing so hard, I felt like I couldn’t take her out,” Robson said. “Unfortunately, she got her fifth foul and had to come out.”
Burkholder was the high scorer for Marion, scoring all of her 15 points from beyond the arc, hitting all five attempts.
Corrina Crabb also reached double figures, adding a pair of 3-pointers in the second half to give her 13 total points.
Other contributions came from Destiny Boudreaux, Sam Kelsey, and Michaela Regnier, who combined for 12 points.
Boys
The boys had no trouble scoring Friday, but could not hold down Belle Plaine, ranked sixth in 3A.
Defensively, the Warriors’ strong point was rebounding. They allowed six offensive rebounds, while pulling in 27 on the defensive glass.
Marion ended with all seven members who played contributing points, with three in double figures.
Sam Zinn was the high scorer for the Warriors, dropping in 21 points. Eli Hett turned in an efficient game, scoring 10 on 50 percent shooting, while Chase Stringer added 10 of his own, and came one rebound shy of a double-double.
The two teams remained tightly locked through the first two quarters, with Belle Plaine taking the first, but Marion carrying a 34-31 lead into halftime.
The difference proved to be the third quarter, which the Dragons won by nine. Riding a six-point cushion into the final quarter, it proved to be just enough. The Warriors outscored Belle Plaine 12-10, but it left them two possessions shy of the win.
Marion tallied seven turnovers, but only had nine assists and did not manage any steals off the Dragons.
Despite the low distribution numbers, three players managed multiple assists. Jaxton Tracy led the way with three, while Zinn and Evann Heidebrecht each had two.
Moundridge boys proved too much for Marion Tuesday night. The boys lost 66-58 and the girls lost 48-15.
Last modified Dec. 21, 2018