Staff writer
After suffering single-digit defeats to Berean Academy and Moundridge, the Marion High School Boys basketball team rallied with a 46-42 victory at Lyons.
“We were tired of letting them slip away,” Marion head coach Jeff McMillin said.
A pair of Hetts made the difference for the Warriors. Marion found itself down 25-20 heading into the second half and that’s when Isaac Hett took over. Isaac finished as the leading scorer for Marion with 18 points, doing much of his damage in the second half. He poured in mid-range shots at a torrid pace, shooting 7-for-13 from the field. Isaac’s contributions had an added importance Marion’s leading scorer, Eric Vogel, fouled out of the game early in the fourth quarter after scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds.
“Isaac stepped up,” Vogel said. “He stepped up in the clutch and made his shots that he needed to make.”
Jordan Hett was Marion’s second leading scorer on the night with 11 points. It was the freshman’s first major scoring contribution this season. Jordan was confident from the opening tip; he hit one of his two 3-pointers early in the first quarter.
Jordan’s teammates were not surprised with his sudden offensive outburst.
“We knew he could do that all the time,” Vogel said.
Jordan also scored the winning basket for Marion.
With 1:29 left in the game, the score was tied, 42-42. On Marion’s possession, Jordan drove down the side of the lane near the Lyon’s student section and hit a layup to give the Warriors the lead. On the in suing Lyons possession, the ball was tipped in the air and the ball landed calmly in Jordan’s hands.
Jordan proceeded to hit a free throw to ice the game for the Warriors.
“He played great for a freshman,” Vogel said. “That was a big shot down here.”
“He needs that confidence,” McMillin said. “I wanted him to shoot.”
stats
Isaac Hett: 18 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Jordan Hett: 11 points, 4/6 shooting from the field, 3 rebounds, 3 steals
Vogel: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals