The Kennedy girls basketball team came out smoking Saturday night at home against Marion for a non-conference season finale, put the game away early and rolled to a 74-42 victory.

“We wanted to play well and make this a dress rehearsal for our first round tournament game against Jefferson,” said Kennedy Coach Tony Vis. The Cougars host Jefferson on Wednesday in a 5A regional tournament game. “Marion has a good team and we played with excellent offensive efficiency especially in the first half.”

Kennedy (14-7) had three players in double figures. Stephanie Botkin led all scorers with 15 points. Jordan Holmes and Paige Hendrickson added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

The third quarter was the Holmes and Botkin show as they scored all of Kennedy’s 15 points.

“We were trying to execute as many options of our offense as we could with each possession and I got some really good shots,” said Holmes who put in nine of her points in the third quarter. “We were really trying to use this game to prepare for Wednesday.”

“I basically took advantage of what our offense gives me inside and I was able to finish,” said Botkin. “Michalyn (Mohr) is a really good player so it wasn’t easy for me on the inside.”

Marion (13-8) was led in scoring by Michalyn Mohr with 12 points and Amanda Sahm with 11.

The Indians played without starting guard Micaela Combs who was nursing a leg injury. She will be ready to go Wednesday when Marion begins play in the first round of tournament action.

“Our players are quite capable, but, of course we miss not having a starter in the lineup,” said Marion Coach Corby Laube.  “We just need to erase this game and move on to prepare for Solon.  We will work hard on Monday and this game should put a fire in our belly for the tournaments.”

Marion opens Class 4A regional tournament play Wednesday at home against Solon.

MARION (42): Banes 1 3-4 6, Sahm 3 5-6 11, Perkins 1 0-0 2, Knapp 2 3-4 7, Jordan 2 0-0 4, Mohr 3 6-8 12, Peyton 0 0-0 0, Whitney 0 0-0 0, Redlinger 0 0-0 0, Chalstrom 0 0-0 0, Kelly 0 0-0 0, Hedtke 0 0-0 0.. Totals 12 17-22 42.

KENNEDY (74): Meier 3 2-2 9, Holmes 4 1-2 12, B.Vis 1 2-2 4, Hendrickson 4 2-2 11, Botkin 5 5-6 15, M.Vis 1 0-0 3, DeLong 3 3-3 9, Wagner 1 1-2 3, Milbrath 0 0-0 0, Langhurst 1 0-0 2, Hayden 1 0-0 2, Zinser 1 2-2 4, Hellweg 0 1-2 1, Schwartzhoff 0 0-0 0, Ryder 0 0-0 0. Totals 25 18-21 74.

Halftime - Kennedy 49 Marion 16. 3-point goals – Marion 1 (Banes 1), Kennedy 6 (Meier 1, Holmes 3, Hendrickson 1, M.Vis 1).