Sports in The Dominion Post

This article appeared in the Dominion Post Newspaper on January 22, 2004.
Return to the listing of articles of January 22, 2004.
Mohigans leave Bees bedazzled

Carey carries MHS to runaway victory

BY CAM BORDMAN

The Dominion Post

Five rows of standing students near the opponents' end are just the beginning of the intimidation for visiting teams.

The home team's No. 2 ranking makes the Morgantown High gym an even tougher place to play.

But when you have to face the crisp passing and trapping defense the Mohigans bring, it can be down right scary.

East Fairmont (1-9) came to town trying to take another positive step after gaining its first win.

Instead, the Mohigans (9-0) pushed the Bees back several paces, making it nearly impossible for them to keep their composure. Displaying a swarming defense and an unselfish offense, the Mohigans squashed the Bees, 83-41.

"We couldn't ask for much more than what we got," MHS coach Tom Yester said.

Morgantown used the weaker competition to put on a show for its fans. To finish off a fast break, Chris Carey dropped a nice touch-pass for Tyler Jones, who finished the play. The next time down, Ben Torsney finished a layup off an equally crisp touch-pass from Tyler Benson.

"Everybody talks about their shooting and their size, but they're the best passing team that I've seen in the state of West Virginia," EFHS coach Ty Asterino said. "They know where their men are located. They know how to skip and how to reverse the ball well, and they have shooters on the other end of those passes."

Carey led the Mohigans with 17 points. Torsney had 12.

East Fairmont's Josh Wray stood up to Morgantown's big bodies underneath. Wray finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, but he had little help as Morgantown outrebounded the Bees, 36-22.

With the Mohigans ahead, 43-19, at the half, the second half was up to the MHS bench. John Oliver drilled three 3-pointers and Tyler Jones scored eight points.

Eleven MHS players scored, with 38 points coming from the bench.

"The bench played real well," Yester said. "When they do that, it gives the other guys a nice break."

MHS kept its undefeated streak and No. 2 ranking. Though Yester doesn't think the ranking means much this early in the season, he likes the pressure it brings.

"All the ranking really does is put a target on your back," Yester said. "I think if you ever want to win big time, you've got to learn to play with it."

Morgantown 83

East Fairmont 41

EAST FAIRMONT (1-9)

Leonard 1 0-0 3, Janicki 1 0-0 2, Shaffer 1 4-5 6, Hawkins 1 0-0 3, Moore 0 2-2 2, Nunan 2 0-0 4, Price 2 0-0 4, Josh Wray 6 3-9 15, Talerico 0 2-2 2. Totals 14 9-16 41.

MORGANTOWN (9-0)

Kerns 3 0-0 6, Hall 3 0-0 6, Benson 2 0-0 5, Oliver 3 0-0 9, Carey 5 7-7 17, Robinson 2 1-2 6, Law 2 0-0 5, Jones 3 2-2 8, Torsney 4 4-6 12, Holt 2 2-4 6, Dunn 1 0-0 3. Totals 30 16-21 83.

East Fairmont 9 10 10 12 -- 41

Morgantown 21 22 21 19 -- 83

3-point goals--East Fairmont 2 (Leonard 1, Hawkins 1), Morgantown 7 (Oliver 3, Dunn 1, Law 1, Benson 1, Robinson 1).

Return to the listing of articles of January 22, 2004.