Wildcats Struggle in Comeback Game Against Jaguars

The Marmaton Valley Wildcats faced a challenging return to competitive play after a year-long hiatus, suffering a 38-13 defeat against the Hartford Jaguars on March 14, 2024. Despite a promising start, the Wildcats struggled to maintain their momentum, ultimately falling behind in the first game back on the court since 2023.

Freshman guard Danica Aiello scored the Wildcats’ first points, but the team quickly found themselves on the defensive as the Jaguars launched a 5-0 run. By halftime, Hartford had established an 18-6 lead, leaving the Wildcats with a significant gap to close.

Coach Adam Borth acknowledged the need for improvement, emphasizing that the team needs to refine their offensive strategies and enhance their ball movement. “We need to do a better job of running our offense and moving the ball quicker,” Borth stated. He noted the importance of minimizing turnovers during transitions and improving rebounding efforts. “Those are things we need to work on, but given where we’re at, it’s one thing at a time.”

In terms of individual performances, Reagan Marshall, a sophomore guard, led the Wildcats with 4 points, while junior forward Morgan Leer contributed 3 points. Aiello, along with sophomore forward Andersyn Carr and freshman forward Emma Louk, each added to the score with a basket apiece.

Despite the defeat, Borth praised his team’s effort and attitude. “Our girls played hard. Effort and attitude are the two things you can control,” he remarked. “They did a good job. We knew Hartford was solid.”

Looking ahead, Borth expressed optimism about the team’s potential for growth. With several games scheduled in the coming days, including a match against Pleasanton on March 15, the Wildcats are focused on incremental improvements. “It’s a starting point. We’re going to move forward and get better every day,” he said. “We’re better than we were yesterday and we’ll be better tomorrow. It’s good we have some younger girls stepping in and they did good.”

The Wildcats will continue their season with participation in the Northeast Preseason Tournament in Arma next week. As they navigate their return to competition, the focus remains on building skills and fostering teamwork among both seasoned players and newcomers.