MORAN — Erie High’s early offensive explosion pushed Marmaton Valley in a hole too deep to escape Tuesday.
Erie’s Tanner Strathe scored eight points in a 22-point Red Devil outburst in the first quarter.
Marmaton Valley, trailing 22-14, stayed within shouting distance from there, but came up short in a 58-51 setback.
The loss drops the Wildcats to 7-10.
Todd Stevenson gave Marmaton Valley an early lift, scoring eight of his own in the opening quarter, and the Wildcats kept pace in quarters 2-4.
But Erie maintained a lead of 33-25 at halftime and 43-34 after three quarters.
Garrett Morrison came alive down the stretch for Marmaton Valley to finish with 16 points. Stevenson wound up with 10.
Cooper Scharff and Kaden McVey added six apiece. The Wildcats were without the services of senior standout Tyler Lord due to injury.
Nick Haviland scored 16, Quincy Brown added 11 and Strathe had 10 for the Red Devils.
The Wildcat junior varsity emerged with a 31-30 win.
Brady Burton led the JV with nine points, followed by Lane Lord with eight. Ethan Lawson and Kaden McVey scored four each. Kris McVey had three, Truett Blevins two and Thomas Allee one.
MARMATON Valley’s girls had a strong defensive showing, and were within 23-17 after three quarters.
But Erie put the game away with a 13-4 fourth quarter run to emerge with a 36-21 win.
Emma Louk had a strong game for the Wildcats with 15 points. Andie Carr added four.
Kaylie Johnson and Madi Pontious had 10 apiece to lead the Red Devil girls.
Marmaton Valley will host St. Paul for Senior Night on Friday.
