MORAN — In a season that’s already been turned on its ear, what’s a few more delays?
Marmaton Valley High’s girls know all too well.
The Wildcats were unable to practice until the week of opening day because of COVID-19 protocols, then were forced back into quarantine in mid-December.
Fast forward to last week, when Oswego had to postpone its game with the Wildcats on Friday.
“We hated it, but it gave us a few more days to work together,” Wildcat head coach Becky Carlson said.
The extra bonding time paid off Tuesday, more than a month from Marmaton Valley’s last basketball game.
The Wildcats took control early against visiting Crest and never let up in a 49-23 romp.
“The girls did a good job of moving the ball tonight, and finding the open girl,” said Carlson, who picked up her first career coaching win at her alma mater. “They saw the court really well.”
The key beneficiary was freshman Janae Granere, who scored on an assortment of shots, both in transition and as part of the half-court offense,
She scored a mind-boggling 17 points in the second quarter as the Wildcats turned a 10-4 lead into a 29-11 halftime cushion.
Crest switched to a box-and-one in an attempt to stymie Granere’s dominance, but the Wildcats were able to move the ball around and find the open player elsewhere, Carlson said.
“We had a lot of girls score,” Carlson said.
The Lady Lancers, who also have been short-handed because of COVID-19 protocols, were unable to make a dent in the Wildcat lead after halftime.
Granere scored 23 points to lead the Wildcats, Kaylee Becker was next with 10.
Haylee Beckmon paced Crest with eight. Aubree Holloran followed with seven points and seven rebounds, to go with a pair of steals. McKenna Hammond added five rebounds.
