HARTFORD — Marmaton Valley High had plenty going for it Thursday.
Unfortunately, so did host Hartford.
The Jaguars’ Ali Smith put on quite a show to open the 2022-23 season, pouring in 33 points in Hartford’s 68-51 win over the Wildcats.
The setback spoiled a dandy performance by Marmaton Valley’s sophomore Jaedon Granere, who erupted for 25 points.
Hartford jumped out to a 15-6 lead after the first quarter to set the tone, extending the cushion to 36-21 at halftime.
The Wildcats stayed within striking range in the third quarter, closing the gap to 47-37 before fouls — and Hartford’s offense — slammed the door down the stretch.
Granere connected twice from 3-point range while racking up his 25 points. Lane Lord and Brayden Lawson scored 10 apiece. Lawson, however, did so while fouling out. Senior Dylan Drake also fouled out, having scored six.
Smith also connected twice from beyond the 3-point arc in his outburst. Tyson Bulson chipped in with 11.
Marmaton Valley returns to action next week, playing Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in its traditional home preseason tournament.
Marmaton Valley (8-13-16-14—51)
FG/3pt FT F TP
Drake 3 0 5 6, Granere 8/2 3 3 25, Smith 0 0 1 0, Stevenson 0 0 1 0, Morrison 0 0 3 0, Lord 4 2 2 10, Lawson 3 4 5 10, Totals 18/2 9 20 51
Hartford (15-21-11-21—68)
A. Smith 11/2 5 4 33, Bomar 3 3 4 9, Goza 0 0 5 0, Bulson 4/1 0 4 11, Baker 1 1 5 3, Wilson 1 0 0 2, Renfrow 1/1 2 2 7, O. Smith 2 0 3 4. Totals: 23/4 11 27 69
