Sports editor
Two top-notch teams were on the schedule this past week for the Marion High School boys’ basketball team.
Wichita Collegiate and Halstead downed the Warriors to give MHS a 5-11 overall record.
Marion’s two opponents were 23-7 combined, with Collegiate winning all 15 of its games, and it showed in two, 20-plus victories.
The Spartans of Collegiate defeated Marion 67-41 and Halstead won 73-54.
“We played two good teams with good systems in place,” said MHS head coach Jeff McMillin said. “We’re working to try and get there.”
Despite losing, the team had some positives, including the emergence of reserve Wil Case.
The junior was averaging 2.3 points per game before scoring a team-high 11 against Collegiate, and seven points and four rebounds against Halstead.
Against the Dragons, senior Elliot Hett scored 17 points on the tail of a seven-point performance against Collegiate.
Hett connected on 8-of-14 shot attempts, while collecting three rebounds, three steals, and two assists.
Eric Vogel was the other Warriors in double figures against Halstead with 12 points and six rebounds.
The two league games drop the Warriors to a season-low five game below .500, but McMillin never focuses on the overall record.
His mentality of getting better each game never changes.
With sub-state just a few weeks away, the first-year coach isn’t talking about it to his players.
“One day at a time,” McMillin said. “That’s where our program needs to be right now.”
This week brings Hesston to town for winter homecoming. Hesston defeated Marion, 67-38, Jan. 10 on their home court.
McMillin knows the 15-0 Swathers will be quite a challenge, but is not backing down.
“You have to adapt to situations and continue to grow and evolve,” McMillin said, “but if you believe in what you are doing, you stick with it.”
He hopes that attitude carries over into Friday’s game. As long as his team plays hard and the players do what he asks, McMillin will be satisfied.
“I’m not even a little frustrated right now,” he said. “Establishing a good basketball program is not magic. It takes doing the right things for an extended time and it takes time to build good habits. We haven’t had that yet.”
The Warriors only have road games against Nickerson and Hillsboro, and a season-final home game against Smoky Valley, remaining before sub-state tournament play.