Mohigan Varsity: Take One More Step

 Success abounds when speaking of the Morgantown High Boys basketball program. State tourney berths, seven of the last nine years. Five semifinal appearances in eight years. Eight out of nine sectional championships. Seven regional championships in nine years. Ten current players playing post high school basketball, four of which are starting and playing in their senior seasons, one at the division one level. Wins: 145 and only 32 losses, in the last eight years. What can the 2008-09 Mohigans do to top that, win it all!

 That’s the goal on Edgewood Street, Win the state championship, but one step at a time. First, MHS must replace seven seniors from last years 22-4 state semifinalist. Four of those players went on to continue their basketball careers and replacing that kind of talent is never easy. “We lack experience except for Cody (Petitte) and Tyler (Anderson),” Said Coach Yester. “They will bolster our lineup that will include, five other seniors and five juniors.” Chase Wilson and Taylor Simmons will be called up from last year’s undefeated Junior Varsity team to play valuable minutes. Michael Caridi, a 6’5 post player will be used to control things around the basket. Two other seniors are new to the program as they have moved in during the off season. Arius Jackson, a speedy guard moved here from Canton, Ohio last spring and Salomon Dany moved here this summer. Salomon, known as “Frenchie” comes to Morgantown from The Congo Republic via Paris, France and is an explosive and exciting player.

The junior class, one of the best in school history is led by 6’7 Sam Runner. Nathan Colombo will play power forward and center for the Mohigans this year and Ryan Parsons will man the small forward spot. Pure shooters, Jordan Barnett and Luke Meador will man the other two guard spots. Super Sophomore Taylor Price will see time with both the Varsity and JV this year.

If MHS is to take the next step, they must bond together and develop a chemistry and many feel this just might be the year. We shall see, but first the Mohigans must take it one step at a time. Step number one is next Tuesday night at the Castle in Kingwood, against one of the state’s best teams, the Preston Knights.