Staff writer
The Marion High School boys basketball team defeated Ell-Saline Friday at Ell Saline, 47-34.
Jordan Hett was the Warriors high scorer, for a second consecutive game, with 15 points.
Marion put together three-consecutive double-digit quarters to start the game for a 38-25 advantage.
Jacob Harper was the second high scorer for the Warriors with 7 points, 5 of which came in the fourth quarter.
Colin Eurit scored 6 points to round out scoring.
Canton-Galva
The Marion High School boys basketball team ran away with a victory Thursday against Canton-Galva in Marion, 55-25.
Before the beginning of the season, coach Jeff McMillin set up five goals for the team to accomplish in each game: score a point per possession, hold the opposing team under .8 points per possession, outrebound the opponent, commit fewer than 12 turnovers, and make more free throws than the other team attempts.
McMillin goes through the Warriors performance in these areas after every game and the response in the locker room has been sullen after losses.
“They were happy to hear the goals tonight,” McMillin said.
For the first time this season, the Warriors achieved four out of the five goals.
They scored 1.06 points per possession. Marion shot 45.8 percent from the field and 47.4 percent from beyond the arc.
“It helps when a couple go in,” McMillin said. “I was thinking, ‘We should save some for (Friday).’”
Hett led the Warriors with 20 points. Hett seemed poised for a personal best scoring night, reaching the 20-point peak with 5 minutes remaining in the third quarter. He shot 8-for-12 from the field, 3-for-6 from beyond the arc.
“We’re just better when he plays,” McMillin said of Hett.
However, the Warriors backed off their offensive assault — including a 22-point third quarter — to only score 9 points in the fourth quarter.
“We’ve been on the other side way too many times,” McMillin said.
However, all the Warriors shot well. Harper scored 8 points with two 3-pointers. Although Harper missed shots early in the game, McMillin was impressed that the sophomore guard continued to shoot.
“The one he caught in rhythm, he popped out looking for the ball,” McMillin said. “If we don’t work on that every day, it’s nearly every day.”
Mikael Antozyk also drained two 3s for 6 points.
With Canton-Galva shooting 25.6 percent from the field and their highest scorer being Kaleb Dailey with 6, the Warriors held the Eagles to .49 points per possession.
Marion won the rebounding margin with 31 boards to the Eagles’ 28. Hett, Dillon Richmond, Scott Jones, and Dane Purkeypile led the Warriors with 4 rebounds apiece.
Topping it off, the Warriors only committed 10 turnovers; no Warrior had more than 2 for the game.
The only goal the Warriors did not reach was making more free throws than the other team attempts. They only made 2 free throws, while Canton-Galva shot 12.
“It’s sounds hard, but we’ve done it a couple times this year,” McMillin said. “You have to be good on defense without fouling. The free-throw line is the easiest place to get point per possession. Even a 50-percent free-throw shooter, will get a point on that possession.”
McMillin was not perturbed by failing to meet one goal. He was pleased with the team effort throughout the contest, especially when the Warrior reserves entered the game in the third quarter.
“All 15 guys got in there,” McMillin said. “They didn’t stray away from the game plan. They ran the offense.”
Yearlong bench players were rewarded for their patience. Senior Brandon Meierhoff grabbed a rebound and recorded 2 assists. Sophomore Patrick McCarty recorded an assist and a rebound. Sophomore Ethan Hett performed a chase down block on a Canton-Galva layup attempt.
Freshman Taylor Heidebrecht and sophomore Wiley Lundy scored layups at the end of the contest. Both players have played primarily on junior varsity this season.
After each play, the Marion bench, led by seniors Richmond and Versch, erupted in raucous cheers for their teammates.
“It felt good,” McMillin said of being on the winning side of a blowout. “It’s good to see the guys rewarded.”