Staff writer
The Marion High School girls basketball team lost to Remington Saturday, 43-28, in the third-place game of the Marion Classic Tournament.
The Warriors outrebounded the Broncos, led by Whitney Gordon who had 18 boards, 14 of which were defensive rebounds.
“That’s a lot of rebounds,” coach Randy Savage said.”
However, the Broncos forced Marion to turn over the ball 28 times. Remington pressed the young Marion guards from the beginning of the game and the Warriors turned the ball over with lob passes into the post and cross-court passes that were intercepted. Warrior guards also struggled with dribbling out of Remington’s traps.
“There were a lot of unnecessary passes,” Savage said. “That will come with reps and games. It’s decision making.”
Savage also pointed out that the Warriors left their ball handlers on an island bringing the ball up the floor.
“We had times where the guards all ran away,” Savage said.
When Marion did have the ball in the half court, the offense struggled to score. The Warriors scored 2 points in the first quarter and had 7 at halftime. Incrementally inching closer to double digits for a quarter, they scored 6 points in the third quarter and trailed, 30-13.
Katey Ehrlich was a bright spot for the Warriors offensively, hitting three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
Berean
The Warriors also lost to Berean Academy, 47-27, on Friday.
The score was tied at 5 at the end of the first quarter and remained close until Berean exploded for 18 points in both the second and third quarters. Kayla Wilgers led the charge for Berean with 12 points all in the first half; she scored 10 points in the second quarter — mostly off 3-pointers.
In the third quarter, Marion spread out their defense to account for Wilgers and forward Mallory Zuercher scored the majority of her points on layups.
Marion’s typical leading scorer, Gordon, was held scoreless for the first three quarters before finally hitting a basket late in the fourth quarter to end the slump. She ended the game with 3 points but did have 11 rebounds.
“She was just cold,” Savage said. “I think they defended her pretty well.”
Donna Cady was the high scorer for Marion with 9 points. Katey Ehrlich poured in 8 points and grabbed 9 rebounds.
After consecutive losses of 15 points or more, Savage said after both games that he knows the team is young and he continues to see improvement after every game.
“I’m not frustrated with these girls,” Savage said. “I don’t think they quit.”