Late shot lifts Herington Railers past Marion boys Friday night

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN ERIC CLARK
The Marion boys’ basketball team went to the wire with Cottonwood Valley League rival Herington Friday night at home, but came up short, 58-54.


“I don’t know if we gave it away,” coach Chris Moddlemog said about the game. “We missed our opportunities, and they took the opportunities that we gave them and took advantage of them.”


Trailing 16-7 after the first quarter, the Warriors woke up in the second and took a 28-26 lead at halftime.


The Warriors and Railers traded baskets in the third quarter. At the end of the period, the score was knotted at 39.


The Warriors controlled much of the final quarter. But in the waning seconds, Herington’s Casey Schlesener drilled a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give the Railers a two-point lead with 17 seconds left for the win.


“I knew that as soon as it left his hand it was good,” Moddlemog said. “That was big. That was probably the key play of the game.”


Other than the big 3-pointer, Herington’s 6-6 forward Colby Bettles, who has caught the eye of Tabor basketball coaches, had 20 points for the Railers.


“We needed to do a better job stopping him,” Moddlemog said. “Bettles’ 20 points came because we weren’t in good defensive position. That was the difference.”


Marion’s Brian Bina paced the Warriors with 16 points. Braxton Skiles added 13.


Coming-The Warriors will host Wichita Trinity Tuesday night and will travel to Wichita Friday night to take on Wichita Independent. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.

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