MORAN — Humboldt High’s Lady Cubs utilized a quick start, especially on the defensive end, to dispatch Marmaton Valley 47-37 Tuesday evening.
Humboldt zipped out to a 12-3 lead and never looked back, although head coach Aubrey Jones noted the victory was anything but clean.
“More than anything, we need to come out and take care of the ball,” Jones said. “I have to remember, winning is good, even when it’s ugly..”
The Wildcats rebounded after their slow start, and stayed within arm’s reach for the balance of the game.
The Lady Cubs led 25-15 at halftime and 39-23 after three quarters. The Wildcats closed the game with a 12-8 run but could draw no closer.
“The first half, we were pretty slow on offense,” Marmaton Valley head coach Becky Carlson said. “If we would’ve started like we played in the second quarter, we would’ve been OK.They were pretty quick on defense, and we had trouble with it.”
Still Carlson saw signs of hope for a team that has had to deal with multiple COVID-19-related shutdowns.
“We’re starting to move the ball better,” she said. “I’m seeing some good things. Not quite coming together, but this is still just our fifth game. The effort is there. We just need a little bit at time.”
The unusual tournament format — both teams originally were slated to be Yates Center before the tournament was split because of COVID — will have Marmaton Valley traveling to Humboldt on Thursday to play Iola. Humboldt, meanwhile, will host St. Paul Thursday.
Carlson thinks seeing teams like the Lady Cubs, Indians and Fillies will better prepare her team for the season’s home stretch and the heart of Three Rivers League play.
Jones, too, is excited about the tournament.
“It’s always good to see different competition to see what’s out there,” Jones said.
Jessica Myers paced Humboldt with 16 points, followed by Kirsten Murrow with 14. Jada Dangerfield chipped in with nine.
Janae Granere found her scoring groove in the second quarter and took it from there, scoring a game-high 18 to lead Marmaton Valley.
Humboldt (12-13-14-8—47) (FG/3pt): K. Murrow 3/2-2-0-14, Myers 5/1-3-2-16, Hottenstein 0-0-1-0, Dangerifield 3/1-0-0-9, I. Murrow 0-2-3-2, Wools 1-2-2-4, Ellis 1-0-1-2.
