Staff writer
The Marion High School girls basketball defeated Peabody-Burns, 35-29, Tuesday in the first round of the Marion Classic Tournament in Marion.
The Warriors won the game with stifling defense that created 13 steals and forced 26 turnovers. Senior Emily Hett was the leading thief for the Warriors with four steals. In one particular play, Hett gripped the ball while it was still controlled by a Peabody guard at half court and ripped the ball from her hands.
Marion used a variety of defensive looks. They used a full court man-to-man press and a 2-2-1 zone press. They also doubled Peabody ball handlers, trapping them in the corners of the court during Peabody’s half court sets.
However, the most effective defense for the Warriors was confrontational man-to-man on the perimeter.
“Besides Whitney, we may not have height but we have speed,” senior Donna Cady said. “We try to work with speed, which is pressuring the ball.”
Rebounding was a point of emphasis for the Warriors after being bested on the glass by 15 points against Hutchinson Trinity Friday. Marion nabbed one more rebound than Peabody Tuesday.
“It was just hustling,” Cady said. “Just boxing out and yelling out shots.”
Junior Whitney Gordon was the top scorer and rebounder for the Warriors Tuesday with 12 points and 11 boards. Gordon relied on her inside game going 3-for-9 from the field and went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.
Cady said the Warriors were trying to work the ball inside more and they were successful. The Warriors shot 18 free throws, hitting 14.
The point distribution was also spread out; Cady had 7 points, Katey Ehrlich had 6 points, and Sarah Guetersloh and Emily Hett each had four. Cady attributes the difference in the Warriors offense to the comfort of freshmen Ehrlich and Megan Richmond.
“I’d probably say the freshmen were pretty nervous in the first game,” Cady said. “During the game when they got called for traveling, we tried to work with them and encourage them. You’re always more relaxed at home.”
For the next game, Marion will continue to work on shooting. The Warriors shot 22 percent from the field.
“Shooting is definitely something we work on in practice,” Cady said.