The Marion basketball squads traveled to Elbing Friday to compete against the highly ranked Berean Academy Warriors. The Berean teams scored early and often, defeating the Marion girls, 21-53, and the boys, 34-58.
GIRLS? GAME
Berean (14-1) came out with a well-executed full-court press that caused problems for the Marion offense. The home team scored the first four points, but Sarah Guetersloh and Donna Cady put Marion on the scoreboard and tied the game at 4-4.
With 4:30 left in the first quarter, Berean came up with back-to-back steals and started to pull away from Marion. The first quarter ended with Marion down, 12-17.
Turnovers and missed shots plagued the Warriors in a scoreless second quarter. Meanwhile, Berean put up nine points and led the game at intermission, 12-26.
The second half told a similar story with Berean outscoring Marion 27-9.
?Berean scored 44 points off turnovers and second-chances,? coach Randy Savage said. ?We really need to cut that number down?
Whitney Gordon was the high-scorer for the Warriors with eight points.
BOYS? GAME
The Berean defending state champs, 15-0 this season, drew a large crowd in Friday?s win over Marion. The game began with both teams playing tough defense, but Marion couldn?t keep Berean?s tall bodies off the boards.
Jordan Hett scored the first basket for Marion at the four-minute mark and the team wouldn?t score again until the end of the quarter, when Jacob Harper hit a three-pointer. The first quarter ended with Marion trailing, 17-5.
Marion forced turnovers on each of Berean?s first two possessions in the second quarter, but still had trouble scoring at the offensive end. At halftime, Berean led, 31-15.
In the third quarter, Marion held No. 1-ranked Berean to eight points of offense.
?Overall, our defensive effort was good,? coach Jeff McMillin said. ?I?m proud of the way our boys competed.?
Scoring leaders for the Warriors were Jacob Harper with 13, Jordan Hett 12, and Jordan Versch nine.
The Warriors are on the road next Tuesday to take on Ell-Saline, then return home Friday to host Bennington.
