Staff writer
In a week when all but three games for boys and girls basketball were canceled, Marion boys had their best performance of the season Friday at Moundridge.
The Warriors lost 65-51 but scored nearly double as many points as in any of their previous games.
All that happened despite coach Donald Raymer not being present after he was quarantined because of COVID-19 protocols.
Marion responded to the potential crisis in a major way, scoring 29 points in the first half, more than it scored in any full game this season.
The home team lit up the Warriors for 25 points in the second quarter, but Marion stayed close, trailing 40-29 headed into halftime.
The Warriors’ best stretch may have come in the third quarter. Coming out of the half, Marion outscored the Wildcats 13-9 to pull within seven points and force a Moundridge time out.
Peabody-Burns boys dominate
It took two minutes for Peabody-Burns boys to score their first points Friday against Herington, but they quickly took control en route to a dominant 82-64 victory.
The Warriors maintained control by consistently scoring near the basket, with 12 of their first 16 points in the paint.
The other part of Peabody-Burns’s offense was that the team wanted to play fast. After made baskets and forced turnovers, the Warriors ran to their offensive end at full speed, often beating Herington down the court.
Coupled with a scrappy defense, they scored 22 points the first quarter, and 23 in the second to take a 45-30 lead at halftime.
The Warriors might have had enough of a lead to coast to victory but they took no chances, scoring another 23 points in the third quarter while allowing 15 on defense.
Marion girls start ’21 on wrong foot
Marion girls played their first game of 2021 Friday at Moundridge, and the 53-15 loss probably was one they wanted to have back.
The Warriors’ best showing might have been their defense in the first quarter. They scored only two points on offense but limited Moundridge to 10 points to keep the game close.
The first quarter was a struggle on offense for both teams, with no points scored in the first 2½ minutes, but that worked well for Marion.
The Warriors kept Moundridge off the scoreboard early by forcing several errant shots, not allowing offensive rebounds, and creating a few turnovers.
Once the Wildcats found their rhythm, scoring both from range and in the paint, Marion found it difficult to keep pace. Despite the relatively close first quarter, the Warriors trailed 26-5 by halftime, and 41-10 through three quarters.