By NICHOLAS KIMBALL and DELBERT PETERS

Staff writers

Marion and Goessel

The Warriors opened their season Friday with a victory at home over Goessel, 59-30.

Jack Lanning led Marion with 21 points, followed by Jonathan Frese with 12, all from three-pointers. Jordy Raymer scored the first point of his varsity career and has 986 more to go to catch up to his dad, coach Donald Raymer.

Javin Schmidt opened the scoring for the Bluebirds with a three-pointer, but the Warriors connected on five threes in the first quarter, and Goessel fell behind, 19-7. Noah Schrag, Goessel’s leading scorer with 18, scored 14 in the second period, but Marion held onto a 37-24 lead at the half. The Warriors out-scored the Bluebirds 17-2 in the third quarter, and a running clock came into play early in the fourth period.

“Our guards pressured the ball, denied passes, and then our big guys cleared the rebounds very well for us,” Marion coach Raymer said. “Defensively, in the third quarter, we had 16 straight possessions where we got a stop. We forced four turnovers during that time and pulled down 11 straight defensive rebounds and only gave up two points. This is a major improvement for us. I hope we can build on what we did Friday night and defeat a league school for the first time since Jan. 15, 2021.”

Friday, however, the Warriors play host for their 16th annual Marion Classic through Saturday at the Sports and Aquatic Center. Goessel also will be host for its Bluebird Classic through Saturday.

“I thought we had great effort by all,” Goessel coach Curtis Guhr said. ‘We have several guys that are playing new roles and learning different positions so we will continue to improve throughout the year.”

Centre

Centre also opened up its season by scoring 59 points in a 59-22 road victory against Wakefield.

Robert Spohn led a balanced attack with 14 points followed by Santiago Knepp with 13, Kaigen Brewer with 11, and Nick Krch with 10 points. Krch also led the team with five assists and nine steals. Knepp helped with three assists and seven steals. Krch, JaQuin Smith, and Dane Meier each pulled down six rebounds.

“The team overall came out strong and the offensive output was welcomed,” coach Richard Idleman said. “I was so pleased with the commitment on the boards by JaQuin Smith, Nick Krch, and Dane Meier,”

Centre will be on the road through Saturday at a Herington tournament.

Hillsboro

Hillsboro fell just shy of victory on the road Friday, losing 48-43 at Sterling.

Lincoln Wichert led the team with 24 points scored, followed by Easton Shahan and Wyatt Plenert with 8 each. Plenert had eight rebounds total; Wichert, 5.

“The guys competed hard the whole game,” coach Kyle Kroeker said. “From start to finish they played their hearts out. This was a great measuring stick for our team early in the season against a talented opponent. We need to tighten some things up, especially late in the game.”

Hillsboro will be on the road through Friday at a Moundridge tournament.

Peabody-Burns

Jameson Miles’ 18 points weren’t enough at the Peabody-Burns Warriors lost 54-44 Friday to Central Christian Academy. Aiden Hurst and Dalton Philpott each scored 9.

“We played hard and just had too many first game mistakes,” coach Bobby Kyle said. “My freshman played well for it being their first high school basketball game, but we need to get better on unforced turnovers and rebounding on the defensive end in order to improve in our next game.”

The Warriors will on the road through Saturday at a Marais Des Cygnes tournament.