It was a battle of big men Saturday night at Meadowview as the Trojans, led by center John Robert Morton, hosted the Wilcox Academy Wildcats, led by Michael Riggs.

The battle in the paint was well worth the price of admission.

Morton used his deft touch on array of jumpers to finish with 27 points.

Riggs took advantage of his athletic ability and scored 26 points.

With the big men playing to a virtual draw, it was the other players that made the difference.

Morton fouled out with the Trojans leading by one and a minute left

in the game.

The other Trojans picked up the slack and took the 51-46 win.

For coach Chris Burford’s boys the rust was still evident.

Most of the Wildcats played on the state champion football team, including Riggs.

The team is still coming together on the court.

The battle inside was impressive, a clash of styles.

The players used different methods but got similar results.

Morton finished with 27 points and 17 rebounds. Riggs had 26 points, 16 boards and three steals.

Derek Lassiter gave the Trojans a strong presence as well.

He finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Dustin Lee added six points, 5 boards and 2 assists.Chris Sewell and Bryant Barnes added 4 each.

For Wilcox, Zach Kennedy hit four trifectas to finish with 12 points.

Bo Bledsoe finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds.

Phillip Merryman added 3 points and 7 rebounds.

Will Bozeman had a single point.

With Morton leading the way, the Trojans came out red hot.

Morton worked inside for 12 points in the first frame, including a buzzer beating fade that touched nothing but the bottom of the twine.

In the midst of an 11-point run, the Trojans led 16-10 after a quarter of play.

The lead extended to 21-10 before Riggs got going.

The big post player responded with 9 points and 5 boards in the second quarter, it was all of the Wildcats’ points in the frame.

By the time the teams went to the half, Wilcox still trailed 29-19.

The Wildcats came out with more determination in the third quarter.

Kennedy opened the scoring with a three, then after a Barnes pull up drive, Riggs scored on a put back.

The senior had 9 points in the third quarter as well.

Bledsoe scored inside for Wilcox. Then Sewell found Lassiter for a short jumper

to answer.

Riggs scored twice from close range to cut the lead to 5, but Morton came back with a bucket.

Riggs got a point at the line, then hit a pull up jumper before the buzzer to cut the lead to 37-33 after three quarters.

Lassiter opened the frame with a jumper, but Kennedy came back with a three.

Kennedy came through with a steal and Riggs scored on a put back to cut the lead to a point.

Morton came back with 3 of 4 at the line before Bledsoe scored inside.

Morton hit a baseline jumper, then followed that with a turnaround fade for a 46-40 Trojan lead.

Riggs put back a miss and Kennedy hit his final three of the night to cut the lead to one again.

With a minute left, Morton fouled out with his team up two.

Riggs hit one of two at the line and the Trojans looked to be in trouble.

Without their leader, Meadowview came through in style.

Lee dribbled through the press and knifed to the basket for a bucket.

The defense held and Meadowview took the win.