MORAN — Marmaton Valley Junior High’s basketball teams hosted Southeast Middle School from Cherokee on Thursday night. Marmaton Valley was winless on the night. The boys B team lost 22-17, the boys A team lost 28-26. The girls B team lost 28-8, the girls A team lost 27-10.
The boys B team trailed 11-5 at the half. The Wildcats tried to mount a charge but Southeast was too much for them. Shots fell for Southeast that Marmaton Valley just couldn’t seem to hit.
Kris McVey, Jarrod Jamison, and Wyatt Burnett led the Wildcats with four points each. Dagan Barney and Kaden McVey had two points each.
“The B team is learning and trying,” said MVJH boys basketball head coach Byron Marshall. “We need to be able to score down the stretch. I feel like all of my guys played great defense tonight.”
The boys A team trailed 11-9 at halftime. The Wildcats were snake-bitten by a one-point second quarter, failing to take advantage of opportunities. Southeast sealed the deal with a 13-point fourth quarter.
Tyler Lord led Marmaton Valley with 14 points. Todd Stevenson scored eight points. Brevyn Campbell scored three points. Ethan Lawson scored one point.
“The A team really worked hard and stayed in the game,” Marshall said. “I was very proud of how we played and handled their size. This team has come a long way in a week.”
Despite going 0-2 Thursday, there is hope going forward.
“I think we are growing up fast and learning our roles,” Marshall said. “We still have some growing to do, but I am very happy with our progress.”
The girls A team trailed 16-3 at halftime and never climbed back out. Southeast was able to hit shots that MVJH just couldn’t.
Braelyn Sutton led the A team with nine points. Jacee Mattox scored one point.
The B team didn’t have much better luck. The Wildcats were down 10-3 at the half and never found its mojo. Southeast pulled away late, they were seemingly able to hit any shot they wanted as the game progressed.
Addisyn Drake led the B team with five points. Mahala Burris scored two points. Tae Blevins scored one point.
“It was a tough night,” said MVJH girls head coach Jamie Cole. “Playing three games this week took its toll on the girls physically.”
