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From the Sidelines: Season ends on good note

Sports reporter

After three months of practicing free throws, running, and giving it 100 percent during its regular season games, my sixth grade Marion REC team was ready Saturday for the post-season tournament.

With only four teams in the playoffs the format was simple: win once and you are in the championship.

We entered the tournament as the three seed, and the only thing on the players' mind was defeating Hillsboro.

That and the fact I said I would shave my head and wear it as a mohawk during the championship game.

Hillsboro had defeated us twice during the season, both by good-sized margins, but we improved the second game.

I knew Saturday Marion would be ready to play.

Hillsboro jumped ahead early 12-6. After we made a bucket, one of their players nailed a three-pointer longer than most high-schoolers attempt, and we ending up trailing 15-8 at halftime.

Jeremy Vondenkamp (the other coach) and I told them eight points was not enough and the offense had to come through in the second half.

The kids were pumped, but Hillsboro came out firing, and our shots continued to rim out, as we fell farther behind.

With about six minutes left, we made a comeback and trailed just 26-20. Hillsboro then scored six straight and eventually won, 33-22.

Despite the loss it was the best the kids had played all year, and we were proud of them.

They defeated Chase County for the third time this year 40-26 in the third-place game.

By the time the game and season had ended, every player made at least one basket, and forward Dakin Lidford's promise to hit a three-pointer came true when he banked one in with two seconds left in the game.

We wrapped up the season Sunday with lunch at Pizza Hut, and the team goofed off more than practice. But not as much as the table full of adults next to them who had a food fight.

They really weren't bad in practice, and they ended up having a good season. A 3-5 record wasn't what we hoped for, but every player on the team improved, and we had fun.

So, Colton Jeffrey, Cole Lewman, Scott Jones, Andrew Schaefer, David Helmer, Jared Vondenkamp, Justin Rahe, Trevor Fugitt, Corey Hiebert, and Dakin, thanks for a great season, I hope you had as much fun as I did.

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