Morgan hosting summer play date for area, state teams
Published 5:19 pm Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Morgan’s Connor Henderson crashes into Fort Dale’s Taylor Windham during the third place game of the Class AAA Region 2 tournament held in early February at Morgan. Morgan fell to Fort Dale in that gaem 59-48. Both schools have teams participating in this week’s playdate at Morgan Academy. –File Photo
By Daniel Evans
The Selma Times-Journal
For some, it might not seem like basketball season ended that long ago for Morgan Academy. And although the Senators played their final games in February, basketball has once again taken to the floor at Morgan Academy, this time in the form of a huge AISA playdate.
The event, which began Tuesday and will continue on through Thursday, has attracted 15 teams from schools in Auburn, Tuscaloosa and Escambia County.
The junior varsity events began Tuesday, with varsity boys taking the court Wednesday and varsity girls rounding out the event Thursday.
The playdate event gives coaches a chance to get players in the gym during the spring, which bridges the gap between the end of the season and the start of fall practice.
“It is a chance to let a lot of kids play basketball,” Morgan Academy head basketball coach Bob Taylor said.
When Taylor took over the team, the Senator basketball program was in rebuilding mode. Now, with Taylor entering his fourth season at the school, expectations are high following a 21-win season and with four starters returning to the boys’ team.
But, there is plenty of youth coming in for Morgan as well.
“We’ve got younger kids who have never played basketball playing,” Taylor said.
With defending AISA Class 3A state boys champion Glenwood and defending Class 2A state boys champion East Memorial Christian Academy in the field of 15 teams, Taylor said the quality of basketball during the event should be at a high level.
Last season, Morgan Academy’s season ended with a loss to Lee-Scott in the Elite Eight of the AISA playoffs. The Senators will take on Glenwood and Lee-Scott in the playdate event Wednesday.
Morgan Academy has a promising junior varsity team too. The Senators’ junior varsity went 18-3 last season and a lot of those players are moving up to the varsity team this season. The junior varsity event took place on Tuesday, with 14 teams taking part.
The girls’ varsity event will take place on Thursday. There are 10 girls’ teams from across the state taking part in the event.
