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Two victories give Warriors even record heading into break

Sports reporter

After a 1-3 start for the Marion High School Warrior girls' basketball team, it looked like it could be a long season.

An opening loss to Chase County left the girls seeming sluggish, and two losses out of three games in the Inman tournament didn't do much for the team's confidence.

Then came last week.

MHS reeled off two victories against league foes Halstead and Haven to run its record to 3-3 on the season.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, these last two games didn't count in the Mid-Central Activities Association standings. From here on out every game excluding the Marion-Hillsboro tournament, will be counted as a league game.

Senior Allie Maddox led the Warriors in the two victories, averaging 20.5 points and 6.5 rebounds.

In the Halstead game Dec. 13, Maddox scored 22 points, including eight in a row, during a stretch in the fourth quarter.

"I had my mind set on winning the game," she said. "I didn't want to lose anymore."

With senior Toni Gordon on the bench after fouling out late in the third quarter, Enos placed Maddox on the post, a position she was not used to playing.

"Knowing I was the biggest one on the court, I knew I had to step up," she said.

Maddox however, knew she wasn't the only reason her team won. She gave credit to everyone for holding on to the ball. Overall the Warriors committed just 14 turnovers, far below their normal average.

"That's a big plus for us," Maddox said.

The Warriors forced 28 Halstead turnovers, and Enos was happy with the discrepancy.

"I told them we cannot survive 24, 25 turnovers," he said. "Then they knocked off 10 turnovers from their average."

Three other Warriors were in double figures in the victory.

Gordon 15, Erin Carr 11, and Megan Hudson 10, all stepped up at one time or another during the game.

Carr nailed two three-pointers to keep MHS within one at the start of the fourth. Gordon scored her points early and often to allow Marion to take an early lead, and Hudson had six assists to go with only two turnovers.

With Gordon out early, Enos challenged the girls to step up.

"[Halstead] came with a spark and we looked like we were on our death bed," he said about Gordon fouling out.

The Warriors then stepped up and Enos was proud of the way they responded.

"It was a huge win for us mentally," Enos said.

Another big victory came Friday on the road against Haven.

Maddox again was high-scorer with 19 points and 10 rebounds, but also was not alone in contributing to the victory.

Four players were once again in double figures.

Gordon had 17 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Hudson had 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists, and Carr chipped in with 12 points, two rebounds, and four steals.

Kari Tajchman added 10 rebounds for the Warriors.

Gordon, Maddox, who fouled out late, and Hudson were all in foul trouble in the second half, but the team responded.

"We maintained well with the players off our bench," Enos said.

Maddox once again moved to the post for a while in the third quarter.

"She hit some big shots for us again," Enos said.

The all-around effort from his team pleased Enos.

"It was the best game of the year for us," he said.

The victories have left the girls with a boost of confidence, and an itch to get back on the court.

"Their confidence is up," Enos said. "They are starting to understand hard work pays off."

MHS is back on the court Jan. 6 with a home game against league opponent Hoisington.

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