MOUND CITY — A short-handed Marmaton Valley High girls team fought to the bitter end, but could not get over the hump Tuesday in a 40-36 loss at Jayhawk-Linn.
The Wildcats, still without leading scorer Janae Granere because of an ankle injury, dropped to 12-6, and is in fifth place in their Class 1A-I Sub-State bracket, one game behind Crest (13-5).
“It looks like, as of right now, we’ll play at Crest,” Marmaton Valley head coach Becky Carlson said.
The top four seeds will host their first-round game. The teams split their two games against each other earlier this year. Marmaton Valley won, 27-19, in their War on 54 Midseason Tournament showdown on Jan. 19; Crest returned the favor Feb. 1 with a 40-33 victory at home.
Carlson praised her team’s effort.
“The girls did not want to lose this game,” she said. “I’m just so proud of their effort. Jayhawk-Linn was much bigger than us, but we gave it everything we had.”
Jayhawk-Linn’s Brenlyn Brogan proved to be the decisive factor. The sophomore scored 18 points, 12 after halftime as the Jayhawks overcame a 21-16 deficit at the break.
Jayhawk-Linn led 28-26 after three periods.
The Jayhawks took advantage at the free-throw line, hitting 10 of 14 attempts, compared to Marmaton Valley’s 4 of 7.
Still, the Wildcats did not go away easily.
Payton Scharff scored 14 and Maria Forero 13 for Marmaton Valley. Piper Barney chipped in with seven.
“Payton has really stepped up, and Mira has been tough. She really took charge. Piper Barney played tough, too.”
Carlson also pointed to the efforts of freshman Taylen Blevins, who earned her first career start. While Blevins did not score, “she really held her own,” Carlson said. “All of the kids did what they were supposed to. As a coach, you just want to see your kids give everything they have. They did that tonight.”
The Wildcats wrap up the regular season on Friday at home against Chetopa on Senior Night.
FG/3pt FT F TP
