The Morgan Academy Senators used their defense to beat the Wilcox Academy Wildcats 60 – 38 in the Pepsi Classic championship game. “I told the kids earlier in the year that defense will win some basketball games for us early,” said Senator coach David Walker after the game. “We played very hard on defense tonight and that’s what won the game for us, because we didn’t shoot well.”

The Wildcats opened the game with a three pointer, before the Senators went on a 7 – 0 run to go ahead and never trailed the rest of the game. The 1st quarter ended 15 – 13. The Wildcats couldn’t get any closer. Wilcox missed some easy baskets in the 2nd quarter and scored only 4 points. Morgan went into the locker room at the half up 26 – 17. The 3rd quarter started with the Senators outscoring the Wildcats 8 – 2 in the first three and a half minutes of the quarter. Morgan’s tough defense led to many fast break points in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Coach Walker began to clear his bench with 2:47 left in the quarter. By the close of the 3rd quarter the Senator found themselves up by 17, 40 – 23. The Wildcats were outscored in the 4th 20 – 15. Final score: 60 – 38.

“We played hard,” commented Wilcox coach Chris Burford, “We were kind of tired from playing last night. We have a lot of young kids on the team, but we’re getting better.”

Morgan, who is now 5 – 2 for the season, was led by Reid Tolar, the tournament MVP, with 16 points and 8 rebounds. Reid Buster added 10 points along with 4 assists.

Zach Kennedy and Townsend Owens topped Wilcox with 11 and 9 points respectively. The Wildcats fall to 1 – 4 for the year.

– James Gilmore

Tournament winners:

1st – Morgan

2nd – Wilcox

3rd – Clarke Prep

MVP : Reid Tolar, Morgan

All-Tournament Team: Matthew Laneir, Evangel; Jake Turner, Clarke; Zach Kennedy, Wilcox; Bo Bledsoe, Wilcox; Reid Buster, Morgan; Eric Pilcher, Morgan.

Lady Senators Claim Pepsi Classic Championship

The inside presence of Morgan Academy’s center Elizabeth Elliot was a bit much for the Wilcox Lady Wildcats to handle in the Lady Senators 41 – 20 win. “That was the best game we played all year,” says Morgan coach Robert Gartman. “We kept turnovers to a minimum on offense and played smart on both ends of the floor.”

Both teams played a set offense and zone defense through out the game. Both teams also attempted to pack the ball inside. But the Lady Senators were more successful as Elliot poured in 14 first half points. Morgan, who led the entire game, was up at the half 21 – 15. The Lady Senators continued to go inside in the second half and its defense stepped up holding the Lady Wildcats to only five points the rest of the game. “I thought Victoria Collins played well,” said Coach Buddy Sumner of Wilcox after the game. “The rest of us couldn’t get it going tonight. We still have a lot of work to do.”

Elliot topped all scorers with 26 points along with 9 rebounds, 4 blocked shots, and 3 steals. Candace Ward contributed 7 points for the Lady Senators (6 – 1). Also Cursey Oaks handed out 6 assist and made 3 steals.

For the Lady Wildcats (1 – 4), Katy Kyle scored six points.

Tournament winners:

1st – Morgan

2nd – Wilcox

3rd – Evangel

MVP : Elizabeth Elliot, Morgan

All-Tournament Team: Candace Ward, Morgan; Cursey Oaks, Morgan; Jill Bledsoe, Wilcox; Victoria Collins, Wilcox; Rachel Dunlavy, Evangel; Corrie Allen, Clarke.

– James Gilmore