Marion girls win Cougar Classic
Staff writer
With four county girls teams left, three competed at the Cougar classic. Marion won it all, securing their coach’s 100th career victory in the process.
Marion
The Warriors swept last week’s competition aside at the Cougar Classic, winning the championship game 47-34 Saturday over Herington to secure coach Jason Hett’s 100th career win.
Marion opened up play against Newton Home School, winning a lopsided game 56-8.
The Warriors played Goessel on Friday, winning 38-35 in a closely contested matchup.
In the championship game against Herington, Kenna Wesner scored 13 points and pulled down 5 rebounds. Kate Wessel had 12 points and 2 rebounds. Scout Redger scored 11 and pulled down 4 rebounds.
“It was a special night with a great group on Saturday,” Hett said. “To see this group capture a championship was special.”
The championship game was Hett’s 100th career victory as coach.
“I have had the privilege to coach this game I love to some really awesome young ladies over the years,” he said. “I have also got to work with some really great assistant coaches who have helped me along the way.
“Every team is special, and I hope through it all I can make an impact on their lives, but to get Win 100 with this year’s group on a championship is something I will never forget. I love this team and to share this with them is special.”
With six games left this season, the Warriors will next hit the road this Friday to face off against Council Grove.
Goessel
Goessel and Marion played each other for the second time this season Friday.
Isabel Alderfer hit a layup and Abbigail Funk grabbed an offensive rebound and released a layup before the first-quarter buzzer sounded to give the Bluebirds a 12-7 lead.
Marion scored eight unanswered points in the second quarter before Goessel tied the game 16-16 at halftime.
After Goessel gained a 24-20 lead in the third period, Marion responded with 10 straight points.
Trailing by five with two minutes to play, Goessel cut the lead to two before Marion hit key free-throws to seal the victory, 38-35.
Goessel had a balanced scoring performance. Abbigail Funk had 9 points, Brooklyn Wuest 8, Aimee Funk 7, and Delaney Duerksen 6.
In the third-place contest Saturday, Goessel had a six-point lead at the end of the first period before Wakefield cut the deficit to three points by halftime.
The Bluebirds maintained a lead for most of the second half and won 35-30.
“We were in big-time foul trouble, which forced us to slow the game down,” coach Ryan Hoopes said. “Proud of the girls for persevering through challenges in a hostile, loud gym.”
For the third time this season, Abbigail Funk scored 20 points in a game. Delaney Duerksen had 8.
The Goessel girls are now 5-6 for the season and will face Sedgwick on Friday.
Hillsboro
Hosts of their own tournament this week, Hillsboro’s girls finished fourth after losing 34-22 Saturday to Riley County.
The Trojans started the tournament with a 36-34 victory over Clay Center but then lost 42-33 to Moundridge, putting them into Saturday’s game against Riley County.
“This was one of the best tournaments I have coached in,” coach Micah Ratzlaff said. “It was loaded with talent and a great environment for the players and fans.”
The Trojans played hard against Riley County, pushing for a comeback in the third quarter.
“On Saturday, we really struggled to get into any rhythm and Riley County was able to make more plays down the stretch,” Ratzlaff said. “We made a comeback in the third but seemed to run out of gas in the fourth.”
Hillsboro will be back in action at home Friday against Minneapolis.
Centre
The Cougars beat Heritage Christian on Saturday 47-29 in their final game of their home tournament. It was their first win of the season.
Centre opened up with a loss against Wakefield, 49-20, and another against Douglass on Friday, 39-31.
Centre bounced back in the final day of play with a dominant win over Heritage Christian.
Olivia Carlson led the team with 17 points, followed by Hailey Barton with 10, and Sydney Smith with 8.
“Smith and Carlson were steady throughout the game, with Kelbie Kidd tacking on some late points to extend the lead, and Ryleigh Jones and Hailey Barton chipping in points both halves,” coach Alan Stahlecker said.
“We competed well on both Friday and Saturday, with some defensive pressure helping to get the pace of the game moving forward both nights.”
With four games left in their season, Centre will travel to Canton-Galva on Friday.