MORAN — Marmaton Valley High’s boys were effective in the second half Friday, with a combination of Brayden Lawson’s inside play and some hot shooting from the Wildcat guards.
Problem was, visiting Southeast had already dominated the first half, to the tune of a 27-8 lead at the break.
The Wildcats drew no closer than 16 points in the second half of a 49-32 loss.
The defeat puts Marmaton Valley at 3-5 as the Wildcats head to Iola starting Tuesday for the War on 54 midseason tournament. Marmaton Valley takes on Cherryvale at 5 p.m. in the Iola High School gymnasium.
With the Lancers focused on keeping Lawson out of the paint, the Wildcats started hitting from the outside in the third quarter. Dominic Smith, Garrett Morrison and Lane Lord each connected from 3-point range, before Lawson scored twice to make it 41-24 headed into the fourth quarter.
But the Lancers did enough to quell any hopes of a late rally.
Lawson wound up with 10 points to pace Marmaton Valley, followed by Lord with seven.
Tyler Warner scored 18 and Andrew Phillips had 14 for the Lancers.
Southeast also prevailed in the junior varsity contest, 49-26. Morrison led the Marmaton Valley JV with 10 points. Todd Stevenson and Cooper Scharff added five apiece. Brevyn Campbell scored four and Brendon Newman two.
The War on 54 Tournament continues Thursday and Friday.
Southeast (12-15-14-8—49)
