Marion caps undefeated conference run with win over Jonesboro

Marion caps undefeated conference run with win over Jonesboro

Patriots a perfect 14-0 in 5A East play

Marion School District Last Thursday night was the regular season finale for the Marion Patriot basketball teams against conference rival Jonesboro. The Patriots (21-3 overall, 14-0 5A East) finished with a perfect conference record for the first time since 2005 with the win over the Golden Hurricane (18-9, 9-5).

The Lady Patriots (14-14, 6-8) gave up three-pointers in critical situations in their loss to the Lady Canes (188, 10-4).

Marion’s perfect conference record was something head coach David Clark was excited about after the game, but it was not the only goal he set for his team this season. Clark was very quick to switch his focus to the task still at hand for the Patriots.

“Its a great accomplishment, one that we set for ourselves at the beginning of the year, but its only step one,” Clark said about the perfect conference record.

“Step two is win a state championship.”

The last stop for Marion before next weekend’s state tournament was Don Riggs Hurricane Gymnasium in Jonesboro, a place that has seen multiple state championship Hurricane teams.

Jonesboro had a lock on the four seed after losing two straight coming into the game, but their pride was on the line after losing the first game in Marion 66-54.

Marion started off the way they have so many times this season, smothering the Canes with defense and holding them to a single digit first quarter. Junior Detrick Reeves and senior Keyshawn Woods each made three-pointers in the first to give Marion an 18-4 lead heading into the second quarter.

Despite the hot start, foul trouble for senior Timothy Ceaser and a lack of senior Tristan Haymon on defense gave the Canes a lane to work in the paint and outscore the Pats 18-11 in the second quarter. The inside presence also opened up the arch for the Canes, where they made two three-pointers before half.

“It got a little physical,” Clark said about the second quarter. “I’m not mad about the physical play, but we got beat up a little bit.

The officials didn’t call a lot of fouls, but they called a great game.”

Up 29-22 at half, the Pats saw their lead diminish even further in the third quarter. The 18-13 scoring advantage for the Canes trimmed the Marion lead all the way down to two points, but the Patriot defense would reemerge in the fourth quarter.

Marion trapped the Canes in half-court press situations, forcing turnovers from the Canes that led to transition offense for the Pats. Five different Patriots scored at least four points in the fourth quarter, including a three-pointer from sophomore guard Darrius Waterford.

The Marion boys’ win over the Canes earlier this year snapped a 12-game losing streak to the Canes for the Patriots, but Thursday’s win accomplished a more impressive feat.

The 66-52 win completes Marion’s first ever regular season sweep of the Canes.

Reeves led all scorers in the game with 28 points, followed by Woods with 16 points. Junior guard Makyi Boyce had a great night defensively and finished with seven points. Ceaser got in foul trouble early, but finished the game with six points and a block.

The night started with the final game of the season for the Lady Patriots. Marion won the first contest with the Lady Canes thanks to a last-minute shot from junior guard Keiana Delaney, but the Jonesboro defense was up to the task in the second meeting.

Marion struggled finding open shooting lanes for most of the first half and defensively opened the door for the Lady Canes to shoot three-pointers. The Canes made six first half three-pointers and led 3620 after the first half.

Jonesboro would keep up the pressure in the second half, outscoring the Lady Pats 25-22 in the second half. The Lady Pats were held to just nine points in the fourth quarter of the 61-42 loss.

Senior Mikaya McAdory led the Patriot offense with 10 points, followed by junior guards Joi Montgomery and Keiana Delaney who finished with nine points each. Senior Tashlee Milow finished with four points, and senior Taylor Lee made two three-pointers.

By Tyler Bennett