The Marion basketball teams traveled to Sedgwick Tuesday in hopes of avenging a pair of losses suffered at the hands of the Cardinals at home just one week prior. The effort fell short, however, as the Warrior girls lost, 43-27, and the boys lost, 43-40.
Girls?After a competitive first quarter, things slowly unraveled for the Warriors in Tuesday?s 16-point loss.
After a scoreless first three and a half minutes, Bailey Robson drained a three-pointer to put Marion on the board. Sedgwick responded with a three 30 seconds later, indicative of the back-and-forth battle to come. The teams traded scores the rest of the quarter. Marion led, 9-8, when Julia Hall scored in the paint, and 12-10, after Erika Hess made a three. But a traditional three-point play by the game?s leading scorer, Riley McGinn?her second of the quarter?gave the Cardinals a 13-12 edge by the end of the period.
McGinn hit the 10-point mark with a basket 30 seconds into the second quarter, and Sedgwick built its lead to 20-12. Kirsten Hansen broke the scoring drought with a basket at the 3:22 mark, and Marion scored all six of its second-quarter points in succession in just more than a one-minute span. The burst brought the Warriors within 20-18, but Sedgwick closed the half with a 5-0 run to enjoy a 25-18 halftime lead.
Robson scored to start the third quarter, but Marion did not score again for four minutes. Kourtney Hansen made a basket with 52 seconds to go, but by the end of the third quarter, Sedgwick led, 33-23.
Robson scored Marion?s only basket of the fourth quarter?a three-pointer?at the 6:31 mark. From there, an 8-0 run put the Cardinals firmly in control, 43-26, with 2:32 to play. McKenzee Remmers added a free throw to bring the final score to 43-27.
McGinn led all scorers with 16 points for Sedgwick. Audrey Bebermeyer added 10. Robson led Marion with eight points.
Boys?Following Marion?s uninspired 56-41 loss to Sedgwick last week, coach Jeff McMillin said the Cardinals would see a different team this time around. That appeared to be the case, as the Warriors engaged in a highly competitive battle and fell just three points short in the end.
The teams battled to an 8-8 tie by the end of the first quarter. Nicholas Stuchlik and Mason Pedersen accounted for all of Marion?s scoring in the period.
Bret Voth hit a three-pointer to start the second quarter, and Marion built a 15-10 lead. But a 7-0 run put Sedgwick in front, 17-15, with 1:18 left in the half. Marion trailed, 19-17, at halftime.
The Warriors tied the game at 22, then Voth drained a three-pointer to give Marion a three-point edge with 4:54 left in the third quarter. Those were Marion?s final points of the period, however, and Sedgwick reclaimed the lead, 29-25, by the end of it.
Nicholas Stuchlik scored Marion?s next five points to bring Marion within 31-30. Following a three-point play by Brylie Ware, Jacob Baldwin made four free throws to tie the game at 34. Nathaniel Becker hit a three for Sedgwick, but Voth responded with a basket in the paint that brought Marion within 37-36. After that, Ware again made a basket and was fouled. He missed the ensuing free throw, but Sedgwick?s Morgan Gardner grabbed the rebound and put it back up for two. Suddenly, Marion trailed, 41-36, with 3:02 to play.
Voth scored to bring Marion within three, and Baldwin made a pair of free throws to trim Sedgwick?s lead to 42-40 with 45 seconds left. However, after Sedgwick missed the front end of a one-and-one, Marion turned the ball over. Sedgwick scored its final point from the charity stripe, and Voth?s three-point attempt at the buzzer bounced off the back of the rim and fell out.
Stuchlik shared top scoring honors for the game with Ware. Both had 12 points. Voth added 10 for Marion.
Coming?Marion will compete in the Class 3A sub-state hosted by Hesston next week. Brackets will be posted as they become available Wednesday.
For scores and updates during games, follow Janae on Twitter @janaerem13
