MMS girls go 1-2 in MCAA tourney games
The Marion Middle School girls' basketball A-team made it to Saturday play in the Mid — Central Activities Association tournament at Marion, scoring a 33-22 win Thursday against Halstead.
Lady Wildcat Jordan Harper scored six of her game-leading nine points in the first quarter, as Marion jumped on top 10-3.
Halstead pulled back to within four midway through the second quarter, 12-8, but a Harper basket and two Donna Cady breakaway lay ups gave the Lady Wildcats an 18-8 halftime lead.
Lady Wildcat fans watch nervously as Halstead put on another burst early in the fourth quarter to cut the gap to three, 22-19.
A five-point flurry by Lady Wildcat Alex Cain, including two baskets and a free throw, increased the Marion lead to 28-19, and the Lady Wildcats were able to fend off any further Halstead challenges.
"My guards played very well," said Marion head coach Autumn Priddy. "They combined for 26 of the team's 33 points."
In addition to Harper's nine points, Emily Hett chipped in seven.
In Saturday's semifinal game against Hesston, the Lady Wildcats found the going tough against the defensive pressure of the Lady Swathers.
Marion averaged four points per quarter, as Hesston took command early and coasted to a 28-12 victory.
"Hesston was just too much for us," said Priddy.
"We didn't handle their pressure at all, which made it difficult to run any offense," she continued. "Defensively, we were flat-footed and didn't communicate with each other.
"We had that 'deer-in-the-headlights' look the entire game," Priddy concluded.
Kayla Williams was the leading Marion scorer with six.
The Lady Wildcats looked to bounce back against Lindsborg in the tournament's consolation game, but found the Lady Vikings too much to handle, losing 38-24.
In a decisive third quarter, Lindsborg stretched a seven-point halftime advantage to 14, 31-17, as the Lady Wildcats mustered only four points in the period.
Raelene Allen led the Lady Wildcats with seven points, and Williams added five.
"We fought hard the first half, but had too many let-downs on offense and defense to come out with a win," said Priddy.
"These girls improved all year long," Priddy remarked. "It was an up and down season, but definitely a good one."
