Big Marion comeback falls short in final quarter

By DAVID COLBURN

News editor

Marion’s girls overcame a big early deficit Thursday against Inman in a substate semifinal game, but couldn’t hold on to a 29-27 lead, falling 47-41 at Hillsboro.

Courtney Herzet got Marion off to a fast start with a 3-pointer, but Inman’s Baylie Jo Ediger responded in kind.

With the score knotted at 4-4, the Teutons went on a 14-2 tear against the Warriors’ zone defense, including four treys, forcing Marion coach Kelly Robson to call time trailing 18-6.

“I thought we were better off taking our chances with the outside shooters,” Robson said about starting with a zone. “Tonight they were making theirs.”

Robson tossed aside concerns about Inman’s size and switched to a man-to-man, and with Sam Richmond ripping the nets for a trey coming out of the time out, the comeback was on.

Inman went the remaining 6:20 of the second quarter without scoring any points from the field, as scores by Kourtney Hansen, Alli Molleker, and Richmond cut the deficit to 21-16 at the half.

After Inman opened the third with a pair of free throws, Marion responded with a basket from Jessi Lewman, another Richmond 3-pointer, and a shot by Hansen that tied the game 23-23 with 5:31 left in the quarter.

Inman scored its first field goal in more than 8 minutes to go up 25-23, but Molleker responded, and when Inman hit another shot, it was Corrina Crabb’s turn to get in the scoring column with a driving layup. Hansen scored on a fast break to give Marion a 29-27 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Inman quickly scored off a Marion turnover and an alternate possession jump ball to take back the lead 31-29, but Hansen went to the bench with her fourth foul with about 4:00 remaining. She came back in with 2:08 left and the Warriors trailing 37-36, but another Ediger trey put the Teutons ahead 40-36. Hansen fouled out moments later.

Four Inman players canned 7 free throws in the final 1:14 to keep Marion at bay and secure a trip to Saturday’s final with a 47-41 win.

“It’s just a good overall team over there, and playing pretty solid right now,” Robson said.

The Teutons scored another upset Saturday, defeating Berean Academy 43-40 to qualify for the state tournament.

Hansen and Richmond scored 11 each to lead the Warriors.

Robson said his team entered the tournament with high hopes.

“Their stated goal to me was let’s get through this substate and get on to the state tournament,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons this hurts so much. We knew we could beat the teams that were in here, but it didn’t go our way tonight.”