by Ben Murphy
Sports Writer
Harrison got off to a fast start in its non-conference boys basketball game at Marion on Tuesday. The Hornets were able to keep the Eagles at arms-length the entire way, allowing them to claim a 60-47 victory.
“We played well for three quarters, but lost our focus in the third,” Harrison head coach Scott Hawley said. “Fortunately, we regained our poise and finished well. Marion has some good young players and they did a great job applying pressure in the second half.”
Harrison’s lead was 18-4 after one and 36-19 at the half, before Marion closed the gap to 46-36 entering the fourth.
The Hornets were busy from the free throw line in the final frame, but were able to make 10-of-11 to help salt away the win.
Compounding matters for the Eagles was losing a key player in the days leading up to the contest.
“We lost Mason Salisbury, our point guard and leading scorer due to a broken hand,” Marion had coach Dan Michell said. “We came out slow and didn’t take care of the ball and had 14 first quarter turnovers. Once we settled in and started being stronger and more deliberate with the ball and playing as a team, we made a run at them, cutting it to eight with four minutes to go. I was really proud of the way our boys responded after getting down we could have folded and never did and came back and made a game of it.”
The Hornets were led by Chris Benoit with 16 points, Logan Ashcroft netted 13, Hayden Sims and Hayden Tessner each put in 12 and Conner Kirby chipped in with six.
The Eagles saw Gavin Prielipp score 17 points and also get 12 rebounds and five steals, Aiden Yowell scored 10 points, Cole Meyer added seven points and 11 rebounds, Weston Cox also had seven points and Braden Prielipp added five points and five rebounds.
“Gavin really sparked our offense and was all over the place rebounding,” Michell said. “Cole, Weston and Braden played some really good defensive spurts that helped us get back in the game.”
Harrison (2-3 overall) was at home against Clare on Thursday and makes the trip to Pinconning on Tuesday.
Marion (0-3 overall) was at Pentwater on Thursday and hosts Manistee Catholic Central on Tuesday.