The Marion basketball teams lost two games at Moundridge Tuesday. The girls lost, 46-31, and the boys lost, 52-30.
Girls?The Warriors got off to a slow start in Tuesday?s 15-point loss to the fifth-ranked Wildcats.
The Wildcats? leading scorer, Ashley Holler, opened scoring with a three-pointer, and Moundridge built to an 8-0 lead. Marion managed only one basket in the period, made by McKenzee Remmers at the 2:43 mark. From there, with Marion shooting 1-for-11 in the opening quarter, the Wildcats increased their lead to 14-2 by the end of it.
Moundridge increased its lead to 18-2 to start the second quarter, but then the Warriors found a spark. Kirsten Hansen drained a three-pointer that ignited an 11-0 Warrior run. Kourtney Hansen contributed six points to the rally, including a basket that brought the Warriors within 18-13 with 3:01 left in the half.
Moundridge increased its lead to 11, but Kourtney Hansen scored the final two baskets of the half to bring Marion within 25-18.
Kirsten Hansen cut the margin to four with a three-pointer to start the third quarter, and Marion trailed, 27-23, when Bailey Robson scored at the 3:33 mark. Moundridge scored its only three field goals of the quarter in succession at the end, though, to enjoy a 34-23 lead at the end of three.
Holler extended the Wildcats? lead with a three-point play before Kourtney Hansen scored two baskets in a row to cut the deficit to 10 with 4:34 to play. That was the closest Marion got, however, and the Warriors fell by 15.
Holler led all scorers with 16 points. Kourtney Hansen led Marion with 14. 
Boys?For a time, it appeared that Marion had a shot at defeating Moundridge for the first time since joining the Heart of America league. But in the end, the Warriors lost, 52-30.
Marion played without Nicholas Stuchlik and Zachary Stuchlik, as well as Jack Schneider, who was still benched with an injury. With the return of Bret Voth from last week?s injury, coach Jeff McMillin had a total of seven athletes at his disposal.
The Warriors could not buy a basket in the first quarter, making not one field goal in 11 attempts. On the other end of the court, the Wildcats endured similar struggles, making just three of 15 shots. Thanks to two free throws each from Voth and Baldwin, Marion trailed only by two, 6-4, at the end of the first quarter.
The Wildcats warmed up in a hurry, though, making every field goal they attempted in the second quarter. Aside from three turnovers, the Wildcats scored on every trip down the court to record a 22-point effort in the period. Marion, meanwhile, had tied the game at 6, and later trailed, 10-8, when Nathan Baldwin scored with 5:49 left in the half. From there, Moundridge forced back-to-back-to-back Warrior turnovers, which fueled the start of an 18-5 run to end the second quarter. By halftime, the Wildcats led, 28-13.
The teams played evenly through the third quarter, each scoring 10 points. Moundridge gained eight points from the game?s leading scorer, Colton Frazer, while Marion gained five points from Mason Pedersen. The Wildcats led, 38-23, at the end of the third quarter.
Moundridge increased its lead in the final quarter, outscoring Marion, 14-7, to lead by 22 in the end.
Frazer led all scorers with 23 points. Jacob Baldwin led the Warriors with 13.
Coming?Marion will play at Ell-Saline Friday.
For scores and updates during games, follow Janae on Twitter @janaerem13
