Sports in The Dominion Post
This article appeared in the Dominion Post Newspaper on March 7, 2003.
Mohigans move on
Huge 2nd quarter beats UHS, 67-41
Ian Benson/The Dominion Post
Morgantown High's Seth Fogarty drives against University's Casey Jackson, in Thursday's sectional playoff.
BY JUSTIN JACKSON
The Dominion Post
Whoever came up with the idea that games were won and lost in the fourth quarter didn't know what he was talking about.
Morgantown High won the Region I, Section 2 title Thursday night in the second quarter.
Tyler Benson hit four of his six 3-pointers during that period, as the Mohigans outscored University High, 20-3, on their way to a 67-41 victory, at the MHS gymnasium.
"Tyler got hot and that's about the best way to put it," MHS coach Tom Yester said. "We tell the kids that if either Kameron (Law) or Tyler starts getting hot to give him the dang ball. Tonight, the guys recognized Tyler was on and threw him the ball."
And Benson didn't disappoint, knocking in 3-pointers like they were 2-foot jumpers. One came from the corner, another from the wing, then back down to the corner ... nothing but net every time. Benson finished the night with 25 points.
"Benson started shooting the lights out," UHS coach Bruce Clinton said. "That first quarter, we had everything going the way we wanted it. We had the tempo and rhythm right where we needed it, and then Benson got hot.
"That's been the story to our season, one bad quarter costing us a game, but you have to give credit to Benson for hitting those shots."
The fourth-ranked Mohigans (19-4), looking to win 20 games for a second straight season, advanced to the Region I championship game, March 11, at the Wheeling Civic Center. The winner there will go to the state tourney.
MHS will play either state-ranked Wheeling Park or John Marshall in the Region I game. Those two teams play tonight.
As for Thursday's game, the Mohigans played without starting point guard Geremy Rodamer, who was sitting out a one-game suspension for unspecified school violations.
"I was more shocked about the incident than I was disappointed," Yester said. "You hope that kids will learn from their mistakes. Geremy is our leader on the floor and it was tough not having him tonight, but you have to credit the rest of the guys for stepping up.
"I thought our kids picked up their buddy well."
Benson's shooting picked up most of the slack, but Seth Fogarty added 10 rebounds, most of them offensive, and chipped in eight points.
Law sunk two 3-pointers and scored 10 points, including a thunderous slam dunk off another offensive rebound.
"I thought our rebounding was key tonight," Yester said. "We got some tough boards under the baskets that we got points out of, plus we were also able to kick out to the outlet guy to get our running game going."
Clinton wrapped up his first season as University coach and said the Hawks (5-18) need to get stronger for next year.
"The kids have to get in the weight room and work," Clinton said. "We had too many balls swiped away from us this season. We also need to work on ball-handling and shooting.
"I'm disappointed that we didn't win more this season. I did think the kids gave great effort all year. Overall, I think the first season was successful."
Box score
Region 1, Section 2 championship
MORGANTOWN 67, UNIVERSITY 41
MORGANTOWN (19-4)
Dalton 0 0-2 0, Fogarty 3 2-2 8, Minutelli 1 0-0 2, Murray 3 1-1 7, Simpson 3 0-2 6, Williams 0 0-1 0, Benson 9 1-2 25, Law 4 0-0 10, Torsney 1 2-2 4, Jones 0 2-2 2, Kerns 0 0-0 0, Holt 0 3-4 3. Totals 24 11-18 67.
UNIVERSITY (5-18)
Cyphert 2 1-2 5, Dinsmore 3 0-0 7, Hoard 1 0-0 2, Luzier 6 0-2 12, Mayfield 1 1-3 3, Kirelawich 1 0-0 2, Jackson 3 1-2 7, Clawges 0 0-2 0, Phillips 0 0-0 0, Spraggins 0 0-0 0, Polce 0 0-0 0, Casdorph 1 1-1 3. Totals 18 4-12 41.
University 11 3 15 12 -- 41
Morgantown 14 20 15 18 -- 67
3-point goals--Morgantown 8 (Benson 6, Law 2), University 1 (Dinsmore). Rebounds--Morgantown 40 (Fogarty 10), University 30 (Luzier, Hoard 5).
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