Mohigans manhandle Monarchs
Keffer helps carry the load
BY BEN CONLEY
The Dominion Post
The Morgantown High boys’ basketball team controlled everything but the opening tip Thursday night, rolling over John Marshall, 79-41.
The Monarchs simply had no answer for the length and athleticism of the No. 6-ranked Mohigans, who collected 12 blocked shots and forced John Marshall into turnover after turnover.
Morgantown got off to a hot start. Senior Michael Keffer and sophomore Nathan Adrian teamed up to block John Marshall’s first three attempts, the last of which Keffer snatched from the air and hit a streaking Adrian in stride. Adrian threw down a two-handed dunk, landing what would essentially be the knockout blow with 6:30 to play in the opening quarter.
“We always try to get off to a quick start on defense and keep pressure on the ball,” Keffer said of the play. “We did a great job helping tonight and when we got a man helping down under the basket we always send someone up the floor for a layup.”
Morgantown jumped out to a 26-9 lead in the opening frame.
“They were going through some shooting woes and we’re just a little stronger right now than they are,” said Morgantown coach Tom Yester. “We got out and ran the ball well. I thought we rebounded the ball pretty well. So anytime you can rebound and then get out and run and make the other team catch you, you’re going to give them some trouble.”
John Marshall turned up the defense in the second quarter and picked up a pair of baskets in the paint from junior Justin Wade, but the Morgantown defense was simply too much.
Morgantown senior Taylor Price shook off a slow opening quarter, tossing in six of his game-high 12 points in the final minutes of the first half to send the Mohigans into intermission with a 41-17 lead.
“He started a little slow,” Yester said of Price’s performance. “But he got going as the game went along. He blocked a couple shots and played tough in the post. I think he started one for five but finished hitting four of his last seven. He’s a player.”
Morgantown ended up with four players in double figures led by Keffer and Price with 12 each. Adrian ended up with 11 while senior Drake Carlton added 10. Watson scored nine on the evening, followed by Ben Blemmings with eight, Nick Colasante with seven, Evan Berryhill with five, Sammy Lusk with three and Dean Marshall with two.
The Mohigans (5-1) will host Martinsburg on Saturday at 7:15 p.m.
J JO OH HN N M MA AR RS SH HA AL LL L
Carnahan 1 0-0 2,Logan Martin 3 1-2 9, Luke Martin 3 1-2 8, Wade 4 2-4 10, Magers 1 0-0 2, Whitfield 0 1-2 1, Lavenski 4 0-0 8, Hummel 0 1-2 1. Totals 16 6-12 41.
M MO OR RG GA AN NT TO OW WN N ((55--11))
Berryhill 2 0-0 5, Lusk 1 0-0 3, 3 1-2 7, 4 1-1 9, 5 2-3 12, Marshall 1 0-0 2, Carlton 3 2-2 10, Adrian 5 0-0 11, Blemmings 3 2-3 8, Price 5 2-4 12. Totals 32 10-15 79. J Jo oh hn n M Ma arrssh ha allll 2266 1155 2200 1188 — — 7799 M Mo orrg ga an ntto ow wn n 99 88 1133 1111 — — 4411
33--p po oiin nttg go oa allss::Morgantown 5 (Carlton 2, Berryhill, Lusk, Adrian). John Marshall 3 (Luke Martin 2, Logan Martin).
