Marmion takes over in 2nd half
In the next two and three years, the Aurora Christian basketball program hopes the five underclassmen in the top seven of its rotation develop into a senior like Marmion's Mark Peters.
The Eagles got a good look at just where they could be when some of their young talent matures in a Suburban Christian crossover on their home court Saturday night.
Peters scored 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in Marmion's 68-55 victory, leaving as positive of an impression on Aurora Christian coach Steve Hanson that all those young Eagles did on Marmion coach Rashon Burno.
"He's one of the better players we've seen," Hanson said of the 6-foot-6 left-handed forward. "He's all over the floor, inside-outside. He's just a tough matchup for us."
Peters scored 19 points in the first half, yet the Cadets (13-7) still trailed 28-27. Sophomores Nick Marema, Josh Haugen, Jake Hanson, CJ Schutt and freshman Ryan Suttle combined for 43 of Aurora Christian's 55 points.
"They've got some young talent that is really good," Burno said. "They are going to be really good the next couple years."
After leading nearly the entire first half, Aurora Christian (8-13) couldn't keep up with the hot-shooting Cadets in the third quarter.
Marmion scored 25 points in the quarter, hitting all 5 of their 3-pointers and 8 of 10 shots from the field. Greg Askwith, after going scoreless in the first half, scored 13 points in the second half and made three 3s in the third quarter.
"We knew we had to crank it up," Askwith said. "We were very flat (in the first half). We were getting the looks we wanted but shots weren't going. Second half shots started to go and we got the momentum."
Peters - the only Marmion starter to score in the first 17 minutes, 32 seconds - swished a 3-pointer late in the third quarter. Eddy Grahovec followed with 2 free throws for a 52-41 lead going to the fourth.
Haugen's 5 quick points on a 3-pointer and backdoor cut brought the Eagles within 52-46, the closest they would get in the fourth quarter.
Marmion made all 8 of its free throws in the final 1:32. That capped a 16-of-17 performance at the line, led by Grahovec (5-of-5), Askwith (4-4) and Peters (5-6).
"I thought it was a closer game than the score indicated," Hanson said. "They made all their free throws at the end. We were a little worn down from last night and a little thin on the bench. They have tremendous ball pressure."
Marema's 14 points led the Eagles, who were coming off a double overtime loss to Aurora Central Friday. Tyler Hlavac added 11 points for the Cadets.
"We knew they went to double overtime the night before, we tried to take advantage of that," Peters said. "We had our legs tonight."