Some stingy early defense gave Marmaton Valley High’s girls the upper hand against an old rival Friday.
The Wildcats limited Crest to a single field goal in the second quarter, jumping out to an 18-6 lead in the process.
The Lancers ended with a flourish, but their late spurt wasn’t enough in the Wildcats’ 32-23 win in the fifth-place game of the War on 54 Tournament.
Marmaton Valley, 7-4 and winners of six of its last seven, has another busy week ahead. The Wildcats hosted Oswego Monday in a make-up contest from December (results were not available by press time) before traveling to Pleasanton Tuesday and returning home Friday to host St. Paul for Winter Homecoming Night.
The Wildcats took control against Crest in the first half, outscoring Crest 9-4 in the first quarter and 9-2 in the second.
Crest, fresh off toppling tournament host Iola one night earlier, found its footing after halftime, staying within 24-12 after three quarters and then erupting for 11 in the fourth.
But it wasn’t enough to threaten the lead.
Janae Granere paced the Wildcats with 12 points, followed by Piper Barney with seven and Payton Scharff with six.
McKenna Hammond scored seven to lead Crest. Kaelin Nilges, Karlee Boots and Kinley Edgerton followed with four apiece.
The Lady Lancers (5-6) host Northeast Tuesday and Oswego Friday.
Crest (4-2-6-11—23)
FG FT F TP
H. Beckmon 1 1 2 3, Nilges 2 0 0 4, A. Beckmon 0 1 2 1, Boots 1 2 4 4, Hammond 3 1 2 7, Allen 0 0 2 0, Edgerton 2 0 2 4. Totals 9 5 14 23
MV (9-9-6-8—32)
Scharff 3 0 1 6, Lawson 0 0 3 0, Barney 3 1 3 7, T. Sutton 2 0 3 4, B. Sutton 1 0 2 2, Granere 5 3 2 13. Totals 14 4 14 32
