Basketball Recap: Braden Walter's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Heritage over Marion

Heritage and Marion squared off in some playoff action on Friday, but Heritage had to settle for second. They lost to the Marion Giants on the road by a 77-60 margin. While losing is never fun, the Patriots can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Indiana basketball rankings (they are ranked 228th, while the Giants are ranked 78th).

Braden Walter

Rebounds

03/07/25 vs Marion	5
02/25/25 @ DeKalb	0
02/21/25 @ New Haven	3
02/18/25 vs Fort Wayne North Side	1
02/14/25 @ Jay County	3
+ 10 more games

Heritage's loss came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Braden Walter, who posted 13 points and five rebounds. That's the most boards Walter has posted since back in December of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Taurean Brown, who had eight points and five rebounds.

Marion got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Amar Rogers out in front who went 6-for-12 on his way to 18 points and four steals. Rogers is on a roll when it comes to steals, as he's now grabbed two or more in each of the last four games he's played. Another player making a difference was Jadion Smith, who shot 73% from the field to rack up 16 points and three steals.

Heritage is on a three-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 12-11. Those losses can't be blamed on the team's offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 57.3 points over those games. As for Marion, they are on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five contests. That's provided a nice bump to their 13-11 record this season.

Heritage does not have any more games scheduled as of now. As for Marion, they didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next match, a 92-88 win against New Haven on the 8th.