The Marion County R-II varsity boys basketball team began the season with road losses to Paris and North Shelby.
The Mustangs fell behind early in a 43-33 loss at North Shelby, last Tuesday.
The Raiders got out to a 14-6 lead before going into halftime up 25-16.
Marion County kept pace in the second half, but could not catch up.
Only four starters contributed to the offense including Joey Lagemann, 12 points, Porter Britt, eight, Wyatt Goldinger, seven, and Jackson Stewart, six.
The Mustangs opened the season with a 43-31 loss at Paris Nov. 18.
Marion County led 9-8 going into the second period when the Coyotes held the Mustangs without a field goal in going on a 13-4 run to lead by eight at the half.
An 11-4 third period run put Paris up by 12 going into the final period.
Marion County managed to sink just eight field goals, including three trays, and made just 12 of 26 free throws.
Lagemann sank two three pointers and finished with a team-high points.
Other starters scoring were Britt, nine, Root Cheney, seven, Stewart, one, and Goldinger, one.
Mason Wood came off the bench to score two.
Paris was led by Walter Rucker, a junior, who sank eight field goals for 16 points.
This week, the Mustangs were scheduled to host Community, Tuesday, and Bevier, Thursday.
2021-23 Mustang
Basketball Schedule
11/18 at Paris L31-43, 0-1
11/22 at N.S. L 33-43, 0-2
11/29 Community
12/1 Bevier
12/5-10 Monroe City Tourn.
12/6 Monroe City
12/15 Green City
12/16 at Scotland Co.
12/19 at LaPlata
1/3 Brashear
1/6 at Novinger
1/9 Wells-Mid.
1/10 Macon County
1/12 at Madison
1/16-21 N. Shelby Tourn.
1/24 Atlanta
1/27 Mark Twain
1/30 at Knox County
2/4 Silex
2/6-11 Brashear Tourn.
2/14 Canton
2/20-25 Districts
