Marion frustrates DeSoto Central boys’ basketball
MARION, Ark. — A dominant first half propelled the Marion (Ark.) Patriots to a 79-52 victory over DeSoto Central on Tuesday night, leaving Jaguars head coach Blake Orman frustrated with his team’s initial lack of focus.
Marion established control early, rolling out to a 13-5 lead and ending the first quarter up 19-7. The Patriots’ defense stiffened in the second, holding DeSoto Central to just 10 points and building a commanding 42-17 lead at intermission.
“Just frustrated, especially with the first half effort,” Orman said. “We’re young and inexperienced and trying to clean up a lot of the little details, and we were not very focused on the little details in the beginning.”
Orman pointed to defensive lapses as a major factor.
“We didn’t do a good job stopping straight-line drives, allowed them to get to the basket a lot,” Orman said. “Our effort to defend [and] rebound was not where it needs to be, and then just our attitude when things went wrong, we kind of laid down a little bit.”
DeSoto Central showed signs of life in the second half, with both Kenshaun Banger and Blake Price scoring all 10 of their points after the break. The Jaguars chipped the lead down to 20 points late in the third quarter and again with 3:45 remaining, but could not overcome the early deficit.
“I will say that the one positive side is after halftime, I thought we came out with more effort,” Orman said. “We need that effort for four quarters, not just two, and it could have been a different ball game.”
Hunter Avant led the Jaguars with 14 points, followed by Banger’s 12 and Price’s 10.
Marion was paced by Dexter Higgins and Chandler Randle, who scored 17 points apiece. Jalen Neal contributed 13 points.
Despite the frustration, Orman noted that getting reserves and recently returned football players valuable game time will help build depth. He also praised Avant’s potential.
“Hunter’s got a chance to be a very special player,” Orman said. “He’s got all the tools that you could possibly want.”
The Jaguars quickly get back into action, playing at Magnolia Heights in Senatobia on Tuesday night.
SCOREBOARD
Monday, Nov. 17
Prep boys basketball
- Marion, Ark. 79, DeSoto Central 52
- Hernando at Independence
Prep girls basketball
- Independence 61, Independence 25
