MORAN — A tough opening stretch to the season for a young Marmaton Valley High boys club was made even tougher when the Wildcats had to miss the start of its winter practice schedule due to COVID-19 protections.
“Losing those first seven practices obviously hurt us a lot,” Wildcat head coach Gavin Cole said, adding Marmaton Valley also was down three starters for one reason or another, “which really has hit our depth.”
To wit, MV finished its annual preseason tournament with three tough losses, the last of which was a 53-19 defeat to West Elk Friday.
Still, Cole can see glimmers of progress against a youthful, frequently outmatched squad.
“Our offensive flow was better tonight,” he said. “Our decision-making was at least quicker than it has been. And those are some of the things I want to see early in the season, because those are the things we can improve on.”
On Friday, the Wildcats had to contend with West Elk’s towering front line of Wesley Young (6-4) and Jarrett Wilson (6-2).
The Patriots were frequently able to throw over Marmaton Valley’s zone to find either Young or Wilson beneath the basket.
The Patriots jumped in front, 15-3, before MV’s Quincy Adams and Dillon Drake were able to close the deficit to 17-7 by the end of the first quarter.
The Wildcat offense went cold in the second quarter as West Elk took full control with a 14-1 run.
Adams triggered the Wildcat offense in the third period, but the Patriots continued to pull away.
Adams finished with 10 points to lead Marmaton Valley.
“He’s one of the guys on the team with an offensive mindset,” Cole said. “I was happy with him. He’s done a better job of taking care of the ball, and though he’s struggled a bit with his shot, some of those shots will start falling.”
Cole said the Wildcats have continued to work hard in practice.
“Obviously, we’re going to improve a lot as we get more practices in,” Cole said. “I told them if they’re willing to put in the work and willing to learn, I’m gonna put in the effort with them. We’ve got to be patient and understand we have to take baby steps. Several small steps will become big steps later on.”
Young had 20 and Wilson 16 for the Patriots.
Marmaton Valley returns to action Tuesday against Humboldt.
