01/06/2005
By: RICKY MOORE

FLOWER MOUND - Marcus' return to District 8-5A boys basketball play was a sour one, as the Marauders fell to Plano, 45-28, on Tuesday night at home.

The Marauders, coming off a 2-1 showing in the Mike Kehoe Great 8 Classic in Jefferson City, Mo., shot a dreadful 28 percent from the field against the Wildcats.

The loss dropped Marcus to 1-1 in 8-5A play and 14-4 overall. Plano (15-3) remained perfect in the district play at 2-0.

"We didn't shoot the ball well tonight," said Marcus coach Jody Bass, whose guards combined to shoot 15 percent for the night (3 of 20). "We just didn't play very well."

Plano blew open a 16-16 game in the third quarter with a 14-8 run then followed that up by outscoring the Marauders 15-4 in the fourth quarter to put things away. The Wildcats had two players top double-figure scoring in Joseph Fulce (12 points) and Brandon Ware (10).

Bass credited Plano coach Tom Inman with having a good game plan that denied Marcus opportunities to get the ball inside to sophomore post Clinton Houston or senior forward Chad Schneider. Houston did manage to lead the Marauders in scoring with 12 points, while Schneider and junior guard Drew Allen each scored six points.

"You have to give him [Inman] a lot of credit," Bass said. "His kids were better prepared for us than we were for them."

Marcus returns to action on at 7:30 p.m. Friday at home against Plano East, which is 2-0 in 8-5A play after beating Lewisville Tuesday night.

FINAL - Plano 45, Marcus 28

SCOREBOARD
Teams	Qtr 1	Qtr 2	Qtr 3	Qtr 4	--	Final
Plano	8	8	14	15	--	45
Marcus	4	12	8	4	--	28

Plano: Joseph Fulce 12, Brandon Ware 10, Ryan Manack 7, Eric Zastoupil 6, Mark Foster 6, Travis Vance 4.
Marcus: Clinton Houston 12, Drew Allen 6, Chad Schneider 6, Taylor Land 2, Drew Wortmann 2.