Article and Photos by T Ray Henry
The Marshall High School boys varsity basketball team returned to action Tuesday, January 6, 2026 after a week off to play host to the Altamont High School Indians. Marshall entered the contest with a record of 4-6, while Altamont came in with a record of 7-6.
In a game during which the Lions played hot and cold throughout and never looked in sync, a 2 minute 45 second scoring drought down the stretch in the fourth quarter turned out to be their undoing as Altamont came away with a 48-42 win inside McNary Gymnasium. The Indians hit 16 free throws in the game to the Lions 9, and the Lions had trouble containing Altamont’s Cade Milleville, who led all scorers with 26 on the night.
Marshall led 13-12 after the first quarter of play as Payton McGuire led the Lions with 7 points. With Altamont dictating a slow pace to minimize Marshall’s transition game, the Indians led at the halftime break 22-21. In the third stanza, Altamont outscored Marshall by one point to take a three-point lead into the final quarter with the score 34-31. The Lions took the lead with just under six minutes left to play on a bucket inside by Garrett Pugh, then the Lions extended their lead to three points with the score 37-34 with 5:50 to go on the clock when Pugh stole the ball, raced up the court and was fouled going in. Pugh hit both free throws to give the Lions their largest lead of the game.
A bucket by Payton McGuire 90 seconds later, then a three-pointer by Tommy Sheehy with 9 seconds left in the game were the only other points generated as the Lions went cold and appeared disjointed on offense. Altamont hit enough of their free throws down the stretch to make the final score 48-42. With the loss, Marshall falls to 4-7 on the season.
Garrett Pugh led the Lions with 16 points. Payton McGuire had 13, while Bryce Griguhn had 8 and Tommy Sheehy had 5.
In the junior varsity game preceding the varsity contest, Marshall ran out of gas in the fourth quarter as they fell by the score of 42-25. Leading the JV team in scoring was Zach Jones with 6 points. Ethan Sumner finished with 5, Tommy Sheehy had 4, and Lennon Jennings and Brady Landrus each finished with 3. Rounding out the scoring for Marshall were Cage Stuckey and Larry Welch, who each had 2 points on the night.
Marshall plays its next game this Friday when the Lions welcome Richland County to McNary Gymnasium for a tripleheader (Fresh/Soph, JV, and Varsity) beginning at 5:00 PM.
Payton McGuire
MHS Cheer Team and Student Section
MHS Marshallettes
MHS Pep Band