MOUND CITY — Marmaton Valley High’s boys clamped down nicely on defense after a tough start Tuesday.
The Wildcats fell behind host Jayhawk-Linn, 18-8, after one quarter, but surrendered only 19 points the rest of the way.
Meanwhile, Marmaton Valley’s Brayden Lawson erupted in the second period to wind up with 21 points in MV’s 53-37 victory.
The victory wraps up the regular season for Marmaton Valley, which will receive a forfeit victory over Chetopa on Friday because of a numbers crunch with the Hornet roster.
Next up is the Class 1A-II Sub-State playoffs, which begin late next week.
Marmaton Valley (8-11) is in line to be the second seed.
Lawson took over in the second period, after Jayhawk-Linn raced to an 18-8 lead. The burly junior scored 12 of Marmaton Valley’s 14 points.
But the Wildcats still trailed, 28-22.
Marmaton Valley spread the wealth offensively after the break. Six players scored as the Wildcats went ahead, 41-35, after three.
The Wildcat defense took it from there, limiting Jayhawk-Linn to a single field goal in the fourth quarter, and ending the game with a 12-2 run.
Lawson’s 21 points led the way. Dominic Smith and Jaedon Granere followed with eight and seven, respectively.
Bryton Spencer scored 11 and Jacen Taylor 10 for the Jayhawks.
Jayhawk-Linn prevailed, 62-28, in junior varsity play.
Dominic Smith paced the Wildcats JV with 10 points. Brendon Newman followed with six. Brevyn Campbell and Kele Michael both scored four, while Cooper Scharff and Dagan Barney chipped in with two apiece.
FG/3pt FT F TP
