Warriors enjoy 12-point win over Herington years ago
Boys win homecoming contest, minus two players
Despite the absence of two team leaders, the Marion High School boys basketball team pulled off a 12-point victory defeating league foe Herington Friday night, 55-43.
"If someone would have told me we'd be down by one at the half, and then end up winning by 12 points, I would have found that hard to believe," said Marion Coach Rex Ostmeyer.
The win, in front of a huge local crowd on homecoming night, was especially gratifying for the Warriors. In the first meeting between the two teams earlier this season, the Herington squad emerged victorious.
Playing without two of their leading scorers — Jared Hett, who was home sick, and Jason Matz, who broke his foot early in the second quarter, the win was especially gratifying for the Warriors.
"Our regularly strong players — Brian Bina, Alan Vogel, Joel Versch, Tyler Stubenhofer — did all they needed to do," Ostmeyer said. "And Matt Rhodes really stepped up for us in the fourth quarter."
Rhodes had a four-point play — a three-pointer from the field followed by a good free throw — which propelled the Warriors into the lead for good.
"After Jason broke his foot, I basically challenged the guys and said somebody is gotta step up for us here," Ostmeyer said. "And they did.
"It was truly a team victory."
Ostmeyer noted that in the Warriors' two games last week, they defeated Wichita Independent, the number one league team in scoring offense, and Herington, the number two team.
"We kept them both of balance," the coach said.
The win gives the Warriors a 7-10 overall record, with a 6-3 record in league play. The Warriors finish their season on the road, meeting Wichita Trinity, Council Grove, and Chase County, all on the road.
The Warriors also will be competing without one of their strongest players. Matz will be out the remainder of the season, at least six weeks, with the broken foot.
"He should be able to play baseball and it won't affect him playing football next year with Emporia State," the coach said.
marion - 55, herington - 43
Marion 15 6 12 22 — 55
Herington 10 12 12 9 — 43
Total points — Brian Bina, 15; Jason Matz, 2; Matt Rhodes, 8; Eric Smith, 5; Tyler Stubenhofer, 4; Joel Versch, 6; Alan Vogel, 15.
Rebounds — Bina, 3; Matz, 2; Rhodes, 3; Smith, 2; Stubenhofer, 1; Versch, 7; Vogel, 11.
Steals — Bina, 5; Clayton Chamberland, 1; Mitch Enos, 1; Rhodes, 5; Stubenhofer, 2; Versch, 1.
Assists — Bina, 2; Enos, 1; Rhodes, 1; Stubenhofer, 3; Versch, 1.
