OSWEGO — Tuesday wasn’t exactly the sendoff Marmaton Valley High wanted as the Wildcats prepare for the toughest stretch of their season.
The Wildcats surrendered a nine-point halftime lead by the end of the third quarter to host Oswego.
And a back-and-forth struggle down the stretch turned against Marmaton Valley when a last-second 3-point attempt was off the mark in a 42-40 setback.
The loss drops Marmaton Valley to 8-11 with a road tilt at Lebo set for Friday, followed by a neutral site matchup Saturday against Hanover. Lebo is the fourth-ranked team in Class 1A-II, according to the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association; Hanover is ranked No. 2.
Things looked like they were going in Marmaton Valley’s favor following a strong second quarter that propelled the Wildcats to a 27-18 lead at the break.
But Oswego rallied in the third quarter, riding a 15-5 lead to take a 33-32 lead.
Oswego converted a Marmaton Valley turnover with about 10 seconds remaining to push the Indians ahead, 42-40. The Indians pressured Marmaton Valley as the Wildcats moved the ball upcourt for a tying shot attempt.
The interference did just enough to force Marmaton Valley’s Tyler Lord to attempt a long-range 3-pointer at the buzzer. The ball bounced off the rim as time expired.
Lord led the way with 16 points, while Garrett Morrison, Dagen Barney, Ethan Lawson and Kaden McVey scored four each.
Owen Jackson scored 16 and Demetri Williamson had 15 to lead Oswego.
Marmaton Valley’s junior varsity came home with a 39-31 win behind Thomas Allee, who scored 17, and Lawson, who scored 10. Kaden McVey added five, Lane Lord scored four and Kris Mcvey had three.
AN EARLY 3-point barrage from Oswego erased any semblance of drama in the girls contest.
Oswego’s Kodi Trimble hit five treys in the first quarter alone as Oswego blasted out of the gates to take a 21-2 lead. A shell-shocked Wildcat squad stemmed the tide from there, but never threatened the lead in a 43-21 setback.
Emma Louk led the way for the Wildcats with 11 points, followed by Andie Carr with six and Reagan Marshall with four.
Trimble wound up with 19 points, while Ashton Schultz scored 10. The pair combined for seven 3-pointers in the contest.
Following Friday’s contests at Lebo, the Saturday matchups with Hanover will be held at Waubunsee High School in Alma, which is about 130 miles away vs. the 220 miles between the two schools. Tipoff for the boys junior varsity game is at noon.
