Warriors go 1-1 in league play
Sports reporter
It was an up and down week for the Marion High School boys' basketball team.
The Warriors ran into a physical Wichita Collegiate team Jan. 11, dropping their first game at home this season, 59-43.
"As bad as we got whipped, the fact we were still in the game early was a positive," Marion coach Rex Ostmeyer said.
After opening the game down 11-2, Marion fought back to cut the lead to 24-19.
But Collegiate used its size and strength to out-muscle Marion to the 16-point victory.
"The second half we lost our composure on offense," Ostmeyer said. "We were getting tired."
Sophomore guard Jason Hett led the Warriors with 11 points, the only player to score double figures.
Friday proved to be much better for Marion as they traveled to Ellinwood to take on the Eagles in a Mid-Central Activities Association match-up.
The Warriors got off to a slow start, but with the help of sophomore guard Travis Hett, didn't let the Eagles pull away early.
Down 6-0, Travis nailed a three and a jumper on back-to-back possessions, cutting the lead to one.
He scored five of Marion's six first-quarter points as they trailed by two heading into the second frame.
With the play of Travis Hett and Vogel, Marion turned the game into a blowout in the second quarter.
Vogel scored eight points, and Hett four, including one of his four three-pointers, to help Marion to a nine-point halftime lead.
The Warriors cruised the rest of the way, never trailing by more than seven, claiming the league victory, 50-26.
Vogel scored 10 points in the second half, and Hett added two more three-pointers in the rout.
With the game in hand at the two-minute mark, Ostmeyer inserted his junior varsity lineup.
Feeling pressure from Ellinwood different from a JV game, Marion struggled to get the ball past half court and turned it over twice in a row.
Its third possession was different.
Junior Clayton Garnica broke free from the Ellinwood press and took a full court pass in for the layup.
Freshman Calvin Jeffrey got in on the scoring act with a three-pointer at the buzzer, his first varsity shot attempt.
"I was happy with the fact we had a chance to get some guys in who don't get in as much," Ostmeyer said. "It was a chance for them to get a feel for varsity."
Vogel led the way with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Travis Hett scored 15 points and recorded two blocks.
The split week left Marion at 2-1 in the MCAA and 5-4 overall.
Trojan Classic
The Warriors dropped their first game of the Hillsboro Trojan Classic Monday to Sunrise Academy, 56-47.
The loss means they will play at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and 1 p.m. Saturday, both at Hillsboro High School.
The Warriors fell to 5-5, and can still take fifth place in the tournament.
JV rolls to victory
After losing Jan. 11 to Collegiate, the Warriors bounced back with a 40-27 victory at Ellinwood.
Jeffrey led Marion with 14 points, including four three-pointers.
Juniors Jeremy Vondenkamp and Jeff Richmond added eight each.
Marion improved its record to 7-2, and will play Hillsboro Jan 28. at home.
