Sports in The Dominion Post

This article appeared in the Dominion Post Newspaper on March 9, 2004.
PHS, MHS ready for regionals

Knights, Mohigans one game from state tourney

BY CAM BORDMAN

The Dominion Post

A trip to the state tournament is only one win away for the No. 1 ranked Morgantown High boys' basketball team and unranked Preston as both will compete for seperate regional titles tonight at 7:30.

The Mohigans will be going for their third consecutive trip to the state tournament, while the Knights are hoping to qualify for the tournament for the first time since 1997.

Morgantown (22-1) plays John Marshall at East Fairmont High School in the Region I title game. The Mohigans defeated John Marshall 66-53, in Moundsville, on Jan. 16.

Tyler Benson and Chris Carey led the team with 18 points and a healthy Kameron Law had 14. Law has since been hindered with a left knee injury that has a chipped bone in it.

"We still expect the same kind of play from him that we always expect," MHS coach Tom Yester said following the team's 67-41 victory over University High in the sectional tournament. "The main thing is getting him back into playing shape. He's had some time off."

Law has practiced with the Mohigans this week, following the sectional victory. How it continues to hold up with the rubber protective sleeve remains to be seen. He scored six points in the victory over UHS.

John Marshall's biggest weapon in the regular season game was Anthony Montef, who scored 19 points.

While Morgantown is looking for business as usual, Preston (14-9) heads to Fairmont State's Feaster Center and the Region III title game to try to reverse their fortunes against the Huskies.

Preston dropped both games to North Marion this season: a 76-55 blowout in Kingwood and a 68-63 game in which Preston led until the final minute.

"North Marion at our place was very hot and shot really well," Barry Sanders, the Preston coach, said.

Preston lacks the size to shut down North Marion's center, Justin Jarman, but Sanders will employ some defenses specifically designed to do just that.

"We have a few things we're going to try," Sanders said. "Containing Jarman is the key to the game."

The state tournament begins March 17, at the Charleston Civic Center.