Hot hands and turnovers too much to overcome

By DAVID COLBURN

News editor

On any given night, you’d have to like Marion’s chances when the boys put up 69 points in a 32-minute game and Chase Stringer pops in a game-high 30 points.

Any given night except Friday, that is, when the Sterling Black Bears burned the nets for 95 points on the Warriors’ home court.

Sterling did much of its damage by way of the three-ball, canning a mind-numbing 15 treys by the time all was said and done.

The Warriors kept it competitive at the outset, but the game unraveled in the second quarter when Black Bear threes rained down from all angles. Lucas Briar and Kenan Comley led the charge as Sterling unleashed a devastating 30-point barrage to take a 50-30 halftime lead.

The Warriors came out fired up in the second half, showing more precision in their offensive sets as they dropped in a respectable 22 points in the third quarter. However, they didn’t have an answer for the Black Bears scoring machine, as Sterling increased its lead to 77-52 heading into the fourth.

Zach Stuchlik scored 14 in the Warriors’ 95-69 loss.

Girls

When a team has more turnovers than baskets, they’re going to struggle, and that characterized Marion’s effort in a 65-52 loss Friday to Sterling.

Teams can’t score without the basketball, and the Warriors, troubled in part by an aggressive press, gave it up plenty in the first half. However, Sterling was unable to take advantage in the first quarter, building just a modest 13-7 lead.

That changed in the second quarter. With the Warriors still suffering from the dropsies and a 5½ minute scoring draft, Sterling stepped on the gas, rolling up 24 points to Marion’s 7 for a 37-14 edge at the half.

The Warriros whittled away at the Black Bears’ lead in the second half, but could get no closer than 9 points before falling 65-52.

Corin Parmley and Alli Molleker shared scoring honors for Marion with 11 each.

Tuesday results

The confines of home were kinder to the Warriors when Sedgwick came to town Tuesday.

The boys went down to the wire in a 69-68 thriller. The girls won handily, 51-35.