Morgan topples Monroe
Published 12:00 am Thursday, January 27, 2005
Lady Luck is a fickle mistress. But even without her favor, the Morgan Academy Senators had no trouble trouncing Monroe Academy, 59-40, in the Senators’ final home game of the regular season Tuesday night.
Luck smiled on Morgan in the opening tip off when Reid Tolar’s opening lay-up wobbled on the back of the rim before falling in for the first score of the night.
Good fortune struck again for Morgan Academy later in the opening period. A Monroe player stole a pass under the Monroe basket.
As the player leaped out of bounds, he threw the ball directly into the hands of Morgan Academy’s Reid Buster, who laid in the shot for an easy two points. Morgan Academy held a 17-13 lead after the first period.
Lady Luck must have visited the concession stand sometime in the second quarter, as Monroe rallied.
However, even blocked shots, missed passes and dribbles off the Senators’ feet could not help Monroe. Morgan Academy led 34-26 at halftime.
The Senators dominated the third quarter, outscoring Monroe 12-7 to end the quarter ahead 46-33.
Leading by almost 20 points at 51-33, the Senators went into a stall offense with just over five minutes left in the game.
The Senators spread the Monore defense and executed a three-man weave in front of the half-court line and down the sidelines.
Passing and weaving their way between defenders, the Senators looked for the open basket and usually found it. Each Monroe point was answered by a Senator bucket.
Buster led Morgan Academy with 16 points.
Eric Pilcher chipped in 13 points, six assists, six rebounds and three steals.
Blake South pulled down seven rebounds, while Jeremy Smith had four rebounds, eight assists and four steals.
Will Summerlin claimed five rebounds. Rhett Rivers grabbed three rebounds in the game’s final minutes.
In junior varsity play, Chris Warrington scored a game-high 12 points in Morgan Academy’s 27-14 victory.
Heath Harrelson added nine points and Weston Mason tossed in five for the Senators.