ALMA — The first quarters told the tale on a tough day on the hardwood for Marmaton Valley High’s squads Saturday.
The Wildcats were at Waubunsee High School’s gymnasium to take on Hanover for a neutral site showdown.
In girls play, Hanover, ranked third in Class 1A-II, blasted its way to a 24-4 lead after one quarter.
Marmaton Valley picked up its game from there — performing admirably, even against a substantially taller and deeper squad — in what became a 54-17 setback.
That set the tone for the boys contest, where Hanover — ranked No. 2 in Class 1A-II — put on a similar display in racing to a 26-2 lead after one quarter.
Hanover showed no intention of slowing its attack from there, taking a 56-11 lead into the break of what became an 82-30 romp.
The contest, added earlier in the week to give both schools an added game before the end of the regular season, puts the Wildcat boys at 8-13 with a pair of road games this week before substate. Marmaton Valley’s girls fall to 2-19.
In the girls matchup, Marmaton Valley’s Emma Louk came to life in the second quarter, scoring nine of her team-high 11 points in the period. Andie Carr added six.
Einslie Stallbaumer and Nora Heiman led a balanced Hanover attack with 11 points each.
IN THE BOYS matchup, Marmaton Valley found its offense in the third quarter, as six notched points in the period. Problem was, Hanover’s offense was still at full throttle and the lead stretched to 75-27.
Tyler Lord led Marmaton Valley with seven points, while Todd Stevenson and Ethan Lawson each scored six.
Four Hanover players hit double figures, with Kadrick Cohorst scoring 13, and Braylon Meyn, Cooper Bruna and Wyatt Simpson notching 10 apiece.
In junior varsity play, Marmaton Valley’s Thomas Allee had 19 points in a 92-36 defeat. Lawson and Lane Lord followed with eight and six points, respectively. Kris McVey scored three.
MARMATON Valley wraps up the regular season this week with games Tuesday at Altoona-Midway and Friday at Uniontown.
