Jon Killen

[50's PONY]

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Posted on Wed, Feb. 04, 2004



Second wind
Martin makes fourth-quarter recovery
By Anthony Andro
Star-Telegram Staff Writer


SPECIAL TO THE STAR-TELEGRAM/BRIAN LAWDERMILK
Jon Killen, right, was looking to pass all night against Lamar and Jeff Lipscomb. Killen had seven assists Tuesday night.


Martin was totally dominated by Lamar in the third quarter Tuesday as the Vikings outscored the Warriors 18-5 to take a 44-36 lead into the fourth quarter.

That's exactly where the Warriors wanted them.

As has been the case all season, Martin struggled to open the second half but found its rhythm in the fourth quarter to edge the Vikings 52-49 and remain in sole possession of second place in District 6-5A.

"For some reason our kids get comfortable and lose their edge a little bit," Martin coach Jeff Plemons said. "But to their credit, they don't panic. They came down and took enough passes to make sure we had good looks."

Martin (19-8, 7-2 district) opened the fourth quarter with a 13-2 run on its way to hitting 6 of 9 shots in the quarter. The Warriors took the lead for good when Ryan Powers drilled his second 3-pointer of the quarter, this one from the baseline with 2:20 remaining to put the Warriors up 49-46.

Lamar (18-9, 4-4) cut the lead to two on Ean Wagner's free throw, but Jon Killen's layup with 1:15 remaining put the Warriors up 51-47.

"We played more defense in the fourth and started knocking down our shots," said Powers, who finished with 13 points. "They weren't really falling for us in the beginning. We didn't do anything differently. It was just a matter of making our shots."

Or not making them in the case of Lamar, which trails Bowie by 1 1/2 games for the district's third playoff spot. The Vikings torched the net in the third quarter, hitting 6 of 10 shots but went cold on the fourth, managing just six shots and hitting two. Lamar turned the ball over five times in the quarter, including two charging calls. The Vikings also missed a layup on the possession before Powers' 3 gave Martin the lead.

"We were in the ballgame all the way, and then we went into our delay game and got two charges instead of jumpers, and our post man missed a layup," Lamar coach Leo Jones said. "Those six points were the difference."

Martin led early, but Lamar went on an 11-0 run to take the lead in the second quarter. The Warriors, who were led by Dwight Thorne's 15 points, responded by closing the first half with a 13-4 run to take a 31-26 lead.

Wagner led Lamar with 13 points, and Jimail Price added 12.

BREAKDOWN

SCORING LEADER

Dwight Thorne, Martin, 15

REBOUNDING LEADER

Ean Wagner, Lamar, 4

ASSISTS LEADER

Jon Killen, Martin, 7

NOTABLE

As part of a promotion, four students were selected to try 3-point shots to win hot wings. All four swished home 3s from the top of the key. ... Martin travels to Sam Houston on Friday night with first place on the line. The Texans (20-8, 7-1) beat Paschal 68-42 Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Martin at Sam Houston, 7:30 p.m. Friday

Lamar at Paschal, 7:30 p.m. Friday


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Anthony Andro, (817) 548-5532 [email protected]





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