BASKETBALL: Marion sends Warriors home in State Quarterfinals

Posted February 10, 2013 10:00 pm

Patricia Ferrari

INA, IL - The DuQuoin Middle School Boys Basketball Team may have lost to Marion in the first round of the State Tournament on Saturday morning, but they had a very successful season and met all three of their goals that were set at the beginning of the season. Marion won the game 50-29 to advance in the tournament.

DMS ended the season with a 17-7 record, having won the DuQuoin Tip-Off, the Conference, and their Regional.

Marion led 16-8 at the end of the first quarter and 28-16 at the half. The final score was 50-29. Marion's 50 points scored was less than when DuQuoin and Marion met the first time during the season.

DuQuoin committed 14 turnovers, which is more than usual. The Warriors were only 1-6 on free throws, while Marion was an outstanding 9-9 at the line. DuQuoin shot 53% inside the arc (8-15), and was 4-11 at the three point line. Coach Ryan Heape felt that "every shot was contested by Marion, and they limited Jarred Thomas' shooting considerably."

Jarred Thomas scored 13 points in the game. Braden Heape added 11, Caleb Vogel 3, and Jordan Edwards 2. Jarred Thomas scored over 1100 points in his three year career at DMS, and 511 points this season. Coach Heape termed him "a very unselfish player" as he led the team in assists all three years as well.

Other members of the team are Luke Metten, Nick King, Jaden Provart, Blaine Bradley, Gage Martin, Braden Lee, Quinton Jones, Hank Stewart, Donovan McBride, Tevin Lee, Klayton Donoghue, and Devin Jones.

Coach Heape continued, "We slowed the game down, and forced them to play a half-court game. We left it all on the floor. I was proud of our kids; we can hold our heads high. We accomplished all three of our goals this season. We gave our best effort against Marion. It was just the luck of the draw in the tournament; we had beaten everyone else. These kids are going to be a lot of fun to watch in high school." Coach Heape is assisted by Jacob Emling.

The season may have concluded for the Warriors, but these young men will have great memories of a fantastic, and successful season. The Warriors are to be commended for their effort and conduct on the floor. They have represented DuQuoin well. Coaches Heape and Emling have done a superb job with their teams, and they too represent DuQuoin well.