Jordan Barnett’s layup with 3 seconds left gave Morgantown High a 60-58 victory over Parkersburg South on Monday night, in the Morgantown holiday tournament, at the MHS gymnasium.
Sam Runner led Morgantown (2-0) with 15 points. Barnett scored 14. Michael Riggins led the Patriots with a game-high 25 points. The victory advances MHS into tonight’s championship game. The Mohigans play Atholton, Md., at 8:15 p.m.
The first half started in a slow pace as defenses for both teams dominated the action. The Patriots and Mohigans had a number of turnovers as each team was trying to dominate the pace. After a slow first half, the Patriots were ahead of the Mohigans, 28-25.
“Both teams look like they are playing early in the season,” MHS head coach Tom Yester said. “But they’re a very sound team and we have to play them again next week — but down at their place.”
The second half was a little faster, with both teams finding their touch. Riggins had the hot hand as he helped his team take a 10-point lead. Momentum seemed to swing in the Patriots’ favor until about four minutes left in the fourth quarter, when Riggins landed on the floor hard while trying to block a shot.
Once Riggins left, Runner started to take over inside for the Mohigans and chip away at the Patriots’ lead.
Riggins returned to the game with about two minutes left, but the momentum was already in the Mohigans’ favor. The Patriots were in the bonus during the last two minutes but were unable to hit key free throws down the stretch.
“They missed some foul shots to help us out,” Yester said. “They had a 10-point lead with four or five minutes to go and we chipped away, chipped away and hung around.”
MHS whittled the lead down to three points with a minute left. Cody Petitte tied the game after driving baseline and getting a layup.
With about 15 seconds left in the game, Michael Molinari was fouled on a layup attempt and a chance to put the Patriots back ahead.
Molinari missed both free throws and the Mohigans grabbed the rebound with a chance to win the game.
After an overplay by Riggins, Tyler Anderson drove the lane and found Barnett under the basket for the game-winning layup.
“Anderson penetrated and hit Barnett for layup and we won,” Yester said. “That was the difference.”
PARKERSBURG SOUTH (2-1) Leasure 0 0-2 0, Smith 0 1-3 1, Riggins 9 3-5 25, McMurry 2 3-5 7, Molinari 1 3-8 6, Fieler 5 2-2 12, Caplinger 3 0-0 7, Tracewell 0 0-0 0, Goldsmith 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 12-25 58.
MORGANTOWN (2-0) Simmons 1 0-0 2, Barnett 6 2-3 15, Jackson 1 2-3 5, Caridi 1 0-0 2, Petitte 4 1-2 9, Wilson 1 1-2 4, Parsons 1 1-2 4, Runner 5 5-6 15, Anderson 1 2-2 4. Totals 21 14-20 69. Parkersburg South 13 15 13 17 — 58 Morgantown 13 12 14 21 — 60
3-point goals: Parkersburg South 6 (Riggins 4, Molinari, Caplinger). Morgantown 4 (Barnett, Jackson, Wilson, Parsons).
Bob Gay/The Dominion Post Morgantown High’s Jordan Barnett maneuvers past Parkersburg South defender Dakota McMurray (12) during their game, at the MHS gymnasium. MHS won Monday night, 60-58.