Sports in The Dominion Post

This article appeared in the Dominion Post Newspaper on March 1, 2003. MHS foes know their best shot is to play it slow

TODD MURRAY

The rest of the North Central Athletic Conference was put on red alert long ago when it comes to playing Morgantown High's fourth-ranked boys' basketball team:

You don't want to run with these guys.

The Mohigans, whose 16-game winning streak ended Thursday night, at Fairmont Senior, are capable of putting five players on the court who can get up and down the floor, at any time or all the time.

When the MHS scoreboard starts reaching the 60s and 70s, you can usually stick a fork in the opponent -- it is done.

Fairmont Senior knew the last thing it wanted was a track meet with the Mohigans in Thursday's game. The Polar Bears wanted a low-scoring game, and they got it, coming from behind in the last 26 seconds to post a 54-53 victory.

Fairmont Senior managed a feat most NCAC teams would have deemed impossible: The Polar Bears limited MHS to a mere six points in the second quarter.

"I was a little disappointed we had a little trouble scoring again," MHS coach Tom Yester said, "but everybody is going to play us very deliberate and pull the ball out."

Yester couldn't help but notice the presence of University High coach Bruce Clinton in the stands at the Woody Williams Armory, on Thursday. Clinton's Hawks pulled off an upset of Fairmont Senior two nights earlier, and they did it by controlling the pace of the game. The Polar Bears, who came into the game averaging 64 points, scored just 39 in losing a 41-39 decision.

"I'm sure coach Clinton liked what he saw tonight," Yester said.