Elliot Hett goes for 22 in loss

By MIKE NORRIS

Sports editor

For an entire half Tuesday the Marion Warriors were right with the undefeated Republic County Buffaloes.

In the end, Marion fell by 13, 59-46.

A back-and-forth first quarter in the first round of the Hillsboro Trojan Classic resulted in a 13-12 lead for the Buffaloes, but they used a 9-0 run in the second quarter to take a 23-14 lead.

Marion was right with them, scoring nine straight of its own to tie the game at 23.

Republic County came right back with a basket, and eventually led 26-25 at the half.

The Buffaloes pulled away with a 12-2 run in the third quarter, and the Warriors never got closer than seven points.

The 22 points for Elliot Hett were a team-high this season.

Fellow senior Luke Gordon chipped-in with 10 points and four rebounds, and Eric Vogel had eight and four.

The loss dropped MHS into the consolation bracket of the tournament, where they will play at 4:45 p.m. Thursday against either Hillsboro (5-4) or Wamego (6-1).

Hoisington 61, Marion 47

After defeating Haven, 50-48, Jan. 13, the Warriors lost at Hoisington, 61-47.

Jarad Powell scored 23 points and Justin Axman netted 21 to lead the Cardinals to a league victory against the Warriors.

Elliot Hett and Vogel were the only Warriors in double figures with 12 and 10 respectively.

As a team Marion had 28 rebounds, and spread the results around with Gordon and Vogel each grabbing four.

HHS came out on fire, scoring 23 points in the first quarter.

Marion hung around in the first with 17 points, and cut the halftime lead to three by out-scoring the Cardinals 12-9 in the second frame.

The Cardinal wore down Marion with a 17-12 third quarter, and then tough defense that held MHS to only six points in the fourth.

Wil Case contributed a season-high six points in the loss, while Gordon and Isaac Hett each scored six.

Brady Hudson had a season-high four points, and Mitchell Leppke contributed three points with a shot behind the arc.

Vogel led the team with three assists, while Isaac Hett had three of the team’s four steals.

The loss dropped Marion to 2-2 in Mid-Central Activities Association play, and combined with the Haven victory and Republic County loss, the Warriors are now 4-6 overall.

After the Trojan Classic the Warriors will be off Tuesday, before coming back home to play in a non-league game against 4A Council Grove.