The Marion boys’ basketball team ended the regular season with a 68-45 victory at Bennington Monday.
The Warriors took control early, cruising to a 26-10 advantage by the end of the first quarter. Keeping the pedal to the metal in the second quarter, Marion enjoyed a 43-23 lead at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, the Warriors had expanded their margin to 61-37. Bennington outscored Marion in the fourth quarter, 8-7, to bring it to the final, 23-point spread.
“We were able to get out and run and then with the press able to make some steals and some easy baskets and get on a roll,” coach Terry Edwards said.
Chase Stringer had a double-double performance with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Sam Zinn scored 12 points, and Evann Heidebrecht 11.
As a team, Marion shot nearly 38 percent from the field (26-for-69).
The Warriors went 5-4 in Heart of America league play this season behind Hutchinson Trinity (9-0), Inman (8-1) and Berean Academy (7-2).
Coming—Seeded second in the Class 2A sub-state hosted by Marion, the Warriors (5-4, 14-6) were scheduled to host No. 7 Rossville (2-17) Monday. With a win, Marion would face the winner of No. 3 Hillsboro (13-6) and No. 6 Wabaunsee (4-14) Thursday.
The other half of the bracket features No. 1 Mission Valley (14-5) versus No. 8 Herington (1-17), and No. 4 Allen-Northern Heights (9-9) versus No. 5 Goessel (9-11).
The championship will be played in Marion Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
