Marion girls defeat Rural Vista, boys defeat Herington at Centre

The Marion basketball teams won their second-round games at Centre’s Cougar Classic Friday. The girls defeated Rural Vista in overtime, 53-51. The boys defeated Herington, 57-37.

Kourtney HansenGirls—Marion secured a narrow, 53-51 victory over Rural Vista in overtime Friday.

The Warriors got off to a hot start, making eight of 11 field goals attempted in the first quarter and forcing eight Heat turnovers to build an 18-6 lead by the first break. Rural Vista scored its third and final basket of the quarter at the 2:24 mark, and Marion ended the period with eight unanswered points.

The Warriors cooled in the second quarter, making one of their first seven attempts, and just three of 11 in the period. The Heat narrowed the gap to 23-15 before Kourtney Hansen scored Marion’s first basket in a 4:22 span. Rural Vista ended the half on a 6-2 run to draw within 27-21 at halftime.

Marion made just two of 13 attempts in the third quarter and Alli Molleker and Hansen each added a free-throw, but the effort was not enough. Rural Vista claimed a 36-33 lead by the final break.

Taelyn Pagel scored off a steal to start the fourth quarter, but the Heat stretched their lead to five, 40-35.

Aided by Rural Vista turnovers, Molleker and Hansen scored Marion’s next four points at the charity stripe, then Hansen stole the ball and dished it to Courtney Herzet who made a basket to put Marion back in front, 41-40, with 3:28 left in regulation. Marion led by as many as 46-42, but the Heat tied the game with 24 seconds left, sending it to overtime with the teams locked at 46 apiece.

Rural Vista turned the ball over on its first two possessions, while Marion missed two shots. Pagel made a pair of free throws at the 1:43 mark to put Marion in front, then Hansen scored on a traditional three-point play, making it 51-46. Rural Vista made a three-pointer to close within 51-49, then Pagel made two more charity shots. The Heat scored with seven seconds left, bringing it to the final, two-point spread.

Hansen led the Warriors with 20 points. Molleker added 14, and Pagel 10.

Noah DalrympleBoys—For the second game in a row, Marion’s offensive production increased in the second half, this time propelling the Warriors to a 57-37 win over Herington.

The game was tied at halftime, 21-21, but Marion outscored the Railers, 36-16 in the second half to earn the win.

Herington scored the game’s first basket, then missed its next six attempts. Marion took advantage with a 10-0 run before a Railer three-pointer lessened Marion’s lead to 10-5 at the first break.

After Herington tied the game at 10, Peyton Heidebrecht and Noah Dalrymple scored in succession to put Marion in front, but just as quickly, Herington jumped in front, 17-14. Marion used a 6-2 burst to regain the lead, then Herington scored to take it back, 21-20. Heidebrecht made one of two free-throws to send the teams to halftime tied at 21.

Marion made seven of 10 attempts in the third quarter. Mason Pedersen made two of them to start the period, but Herington used a 5-0 run to claim the lead, 26-25. Sam Zinn drained three- and two-point baskets in succession to put Marion in front, and the Warriors never trailed again. Zachary Stuchlik scored six of Marion’s final eight points of the quarter, which ended with Marion leading, 38-30.

Marion outscored the Railers, 19-7, in the final quarter, aided by 7-for-11 shooting from the field. Herington, meanwhile, made two field goals—both three-pointers—in 10 attempts, and scored once from the charity stripe.

Pedersen led the Warrior charge with eight points in the quarter, including a pair of three-pointers. Stuchlik added seven points, draining a trey with 2:28 left in the game to bring it to what became the final, 57-37, margin.

Stuchlik led Marion with 19 points. Pedersen added 16.

Coming—Marion will conclude the tournament Saturday. The boys will play either Peabody-Burns or Wakefield in the fifth-place game at 3:30 p.m. The girls will play either Centre or Solomon in the championship at 5 p.m.

For scores and updates during games, follow Janae on Twitter @janaerem13

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