Marion 3A Regional Championship
Byron Hetzler/River Radio Sports Central
Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
MARION — Points were at a premium at Cuss Wilson Gymnasium in the championship game of the Marion 3A Regional Friday night. Centralia held off the host Wildcats 42-35 in the defensive scrum to take home the title.
The Orphans led 10-4 after one quarter and maintained that six point lead at halftime as it was 21-15 at the break. That lead was five (29-24) heading to the fourth. Marion cut it to 39-35 in the final minute, but the Orphans scored the game’s final three points to secure the win.
The Wildcats did not help themselves in the low scoring affair, finishing 7-18 from the free throw line.
Logan Meier led the Orphans with 16 points, while Phoenix Hatchett led the Wildcats with 14.
Centralia improves to 30-2 and will now head to the Triad Sectional where the Orphans will face Highland in the first semifinal Tuesday night at 7:00. Mt. Vernon will take on East St. Louis in the second semifinal Wednesday at 7:00.
The Wildcats finish the season 21-12.