Destiny beckoning Morgantown High?

Mohigans reach state semis with first win ever vs. Woodrow Wilson

BY JUSTIN JACKSON

The Dominion Post

CHARLESTON -- The possible team of destiny beat the dynasty.

Woodrow Wilson, despite its No. 2 ranking, 46 state tournament appearances, 11 state titles and a mad fourth-quarter run, was no match for a team that is beginning to turn heads in this state.

Yes, that team is Morgantown High, a unit that wasn't even expected to be at the state tournament at the start of the season, but is now seriously contending for a Class AAA title.

The Mohigans took their first step Thursday night, at the Charleston Civic Center, dominting the Flying Eagles at the start and then holding on for a 65-60 victory.

MHS (21-4) advances to the state semifinals for the second consecutive season. The fourth-ranked Mohigans will play No. 3 Martinsburg, at 9:30 p.m. today, for the right to advance to the state title game. Woodrow Wilson ended its season 20-5.

"I'm sure most people in the state would consider this an upset considering we've never beaten Beckley before," MHS coach Tom Yester said. "I'm sure a lot of people expected us to fold in the fourth quarter, but these kids are tough. I would go to battle with them anytime."

Despite being outscored, 45-37, in the second half by the Flying Eagles, MHS was good enough to get the ball in the hands of its shooters down the stretch for free throws and continued to play steady defense that forced turnovers and picked up rebounds at crucial times.

"We did just enough to get the job done," Yester said. "I thought the free throws in the second half were crucial."

The Mohigans cruised to a 28-15 halftime lead, led by the play of Seth Fogarty, who scored nine of his 14 in the first half. Ben Torsney added 14 points in one of his better performances of the season.

The 6-foot-5 junior couldn't have picked a better time.

"Last year, Torsney couldn't have done what he did tonight," Yester said. "He's a lot stronger and takes the ball to the basket with much more authority. The other guys on the team are starting to recognize that Torsney is becoming a threat and they're getting him the ball."

Woodrow Wilson got back in the game in the second half by running. The Flying Eagles, known for their fast-paced offense and quick shots, started making them. By the end of the third quarter, Woodrow found itself down just 46-37.

That momentum carried into the fourth quarter, but The Flying Eagles had to resort to fouling to stop the clock.

While the Mohigans didn't shoot the greatest percentage down the stretch (11-of-17 in the final four minutes), it was good enough to win.

"The key for us tonight was getting that lead," Yester said. "We were able to jump on them. We knew they were going to make a run at us, because they're a good team. I thought our guys stayed poised just enough in that fourth quarter, and that was the difference."

Kameron Law finished with 11 points for the Mohigans and Chad Murray connected on three 3-pointers for nine points.

Woodrow Wilson was led by Shane Maynard's 21 points.

Box score

MORGANTOWN HIGH 65

WOODROW WILSON 60

WOODROW WILSON (20-5)

Hancock 4-13 5-8 15, R. Thompson 1-7 0-0 3, Slay 0-0 0-0 0, Sizemore 0-1 0-1 0, Maynard 5-14 8-10 21, Dillar 1-4 0-1 2, M.Thompson 0-3 0-0 0, Hairston 4-10 2-3 10, Wood 0-0 0-0 0, Walton 4-5 1-3 9. Totals 19-57 16-26 60.

MORGANTOWN (21-4)

Benson 3-11 1-2 7, Rodamer 0-1 7-8 7, Fogarty 5-10 3-6 14, Law 3-11 6-9 12, Torsney 5-6 4-6 14, Murray 3-6 0-0 9, Dalton 0-0 0-0 0, Williams 0-0 0-0 0, Williams 0-0 0-0 0, Simpson 1-6 0-0 2, Minutelli 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-51 21-31 65.

Woodrow Wilson11 4 22 23--60

Morgantown 15 13 18 19--65

3-point goals--Woodrow Wilson 6-26 (Maynard 3-7, Hancock 2-9, R.Thompson 1-7, Dillar 0-1, M. Thompson 0-1, Hairston 0-1), Morgantown 4-12 (Murray 3-5, Fogarty 1-1, Law 0-2, Benson 0-4). Fouled out--Hairston. Rebounds--Woodrow Wilson 37 (Hairston 9), Morgant own 45 (Fogarty 14). Assists--Woodrow Wilson 12 (Dillard 8), Morgantown 14 (Rodamer 4). Total fouls--Woodrow Wilson 23, Morgantown 23.

Ian Benson/The Dominion Post

Morgantown High's Kameron Law (top) fights Woodrow Wilson's Rico Thompson for a rebound.

Ian Benson/The Dominion Post

Geremy Rodamer scores two on a drive. He wound up with seven points.