Two rivals from the MidLakes Conference matched up for the third time this season, but this game had a championship on the line.
The Marionville Comets and the Miller Cardinals traveled to Sarcoxie on March 6, to battle for the championship title and the chance to move on in state playoffs. The two teams were 1-1 in the regular season.
It didn’t take long for the crowd to get into the game and cheer on their home team. Marionville went up 4-0 with Brandon McKinney and Jordan Dykes scoring, but Miller drained a three-pointer to be within one. The first quarter continued to be basket-for-basket.
On defense, Drew Setzer pulled down most of the rebounds in the first and second quarter, while Miller attempted to surprise the Comets by switching from zone to man.
Other scorers in the first quarter were Setzer, Caleb Wells and Ryan Combs.
Marionville was up by eight midway through the second quarter, but Miller found a way to close the gap to five by the end of the first half. Both teams sent the other to the free-throw line several times during the last four minutes of the first half, which helped Miller gain ground. At the half, Marionville led 26-21.
Early in the third quarter, Miller was within three, but Wells scored on a jumper, and Dykes scored two on a turnaround to put Marionville up 32-25. The third quarter was slow for both ends with Miller scoring 10 in the quarter, while the Comets racked up 11 points. Marionville’s points came from McKinney, Wells, Dykes and Setzer.
In the fourth quarter, Marionville jumped into a nine-point lead with points from Setzer. Miller answered with pushing the ball up the floor, but Setzer and Wells stepped up with strong free throws. The Comets led 46-35 with about 3:30 left in the game.
The majority of the fourth quarter was spent on the free-throw line with Miller trying to stop the clock and Marionville getting into foul trouble. The Comets maintained its composure on the line with Wells spending most of the time on the line.
Marionville finished strong with the 57-48 win. The win sends the Comets to sectionals, which will be held on March 10 in Republic. Marionville faces Clever at 7:45 p.m.
