Patriots fall to Conway

Marion girls take drubbing in 25- point loss to Wampus Cats

Marion School District Marion coach Shunda Johnson pulled no punches following her team’s 84-59 defeat Tuesday night to Class 6A powerhouse Conway at Fidelity Bank Arena.

“We have to get much better at the fundamental parts of the game,” said Johnson. “Boxing out is going to be our main focus over the next few weeks.”

So it was after Conway (90 overall) racked up 20 offensive rebounds, leading to 22 second-chance points in the victory.

Conway guard Chloe Clardy recorded a gamehigh 25 points, while Savannah Scott chipped in with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Jaiden Thomas hit for 17 points.

Marion junior Kierra Neal scored a team-high 19 points, while Daedrianna Cail added 12 points and

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six boards. Jessica Robins hit for 14 points and nine rebounds.

Conway scored the last eight points of the first period to take a 24-9 lead after the opening stanza. A hat trick of Lady Wampus Cat three-pointers in the opening frame stuck with Johnson after the game.

“We have to get more aggressive closing out on shooters because that continues

coach.

Marion (4-3) hit Conway with a 10-1 run early in the second stanza and outscored the visitors 19-16 in the frame to get back into the contest. Cail poured in eight points in the second, and Neal added four. Conway led 40-28 at the break.

Conway’s rebounding dominance

the third period when the Lady Wampus Cats outboarded the Lady Pats 104, including five on the offensive glass. Conway also connected on 10 of 12 free throws in the third period to lead 63-43 entering the final frame.

The Lady Cats limited Marion to just four field goals in the fourth quarter to close the game out.

Marion will play three games during the Christmas break in Duncanville, Texas before returning home to host West Memphis on Jan. 7.

Photo by Chuck Livingston