Staff writer
After Taylor Heidebrecht scored the game’s first points Thursday against Council Grove, the Warriors never led again.
After a minute of game time had elapsed, Council Grove’s Aaron Bachura made a 3-pointer that put the Braves ahead. He scored 13 of the team’s 15 first-quarter points on the way to 25 total on 6-of-9 shooting from the outside.
“I don’t think we really understood that not helping off meant not helping off at all, and he made us pay,” head coach Jeff McMillin said.
Five points from Council Grove at the beginning of the second quarter put the Warriors down 20-9, but Marion continued competing, trailing 25-18 at halftime.
The Warriors trailed by three or five for the majority of the third quarter, receiving scoring from guards Timothy Knolla, Heidebrecht, Grif Case, and Zach Robson.
Council Grove led 37-34 at the beginning of the fourth period, but the score never was closer after Bachura made another three at the start of the quarter.
McMillin said offensive rebounds killed the Warriors chances in the end.
“We let a three-point deficit jump up to 10 or 11 because they kept getting second looks at it,” he said.
The Braves increased their lead to as much as 14 late, eventually winning 61-48.
McMillin said forward James Jones, who missed Thursday’s game with an ankle sprain, could return to the lineup by the Warriors’ next game.
“Anytime you lose somebody in your rotation that’s starting, it’s going to hurt a bit,” he said.
Statistics
Knolla, 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals; Heidebrecht, 15 points, 1 rebound, 6 assists, 3 steals; Robson, 11 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists; 3 steals; Case, 7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal; Jacob Baldwin, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal.