MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — It was the Morgantown High girls’ basketball team’s chance to enjoy some home holiday cheer Saturday afternoon, as the Mohigans hosted Martinsburg in the G Force Lock and Safe Holiday Classic.
Since each team entered the day with only a single win thus far this season, it was obvious that all they wanted for Christmas was another win in their stockings.
While the young Mohigans looked solid early, a long offensive drought in the third quarter fueled a 25-5 Martinsburg run. The Bulldogs eventually pulled away down the stretch to come away with a 52-38 victory.
It was clear early in the game that the basketball philosophies of the two teams were as different as the naughty and nice lists.
Offensively, the Bulldogs (2-2) looked to get the ball down low to senior center Morganne Andrews. While the homestanding Mohigans (1-5), tried to utilize their quickness advantage on the perimeter.
While Andrews defended the paint, Morgantown used an active half-court trap with effectiveness to build a 19-12 lead midway through the second quarter. However, Martinsburg point guard Prosperity Stitt chipped away with a series of strong offensive plays, although the Mohigans managed to keep a 22-20 lead at the half.
Then, things went south for Morgantown, as the Bulldogs hit two quick 3s and also adjusted their defense with an aggressive trap that completely shut down the Mohigans’ offense and produced multiple steals and transition baskets. Only a buzzer-beater 3-pointer from Mia Henkins kept it close at 37-27, but the final quarter was similar to the third, as Martinsburg attacked the rim, drawing fouls and kept Morgantown’s offense under wraps to win by 14.
Andrews finished with 14 and Stitt chipped in 11 for the Bulldogs, while Kat Wassick scored 12 for Morgantown.
Mohigans coach Jason White saw this one as a microcosm of the season so far — only in reverse.
“We have been very slow out of the gate most of the year so far,” he explained. “This time, I thought we played very well for most of the first half. That was kind of an indication of where we are headed this year, but then we didn’t respond well to their pressure and things started to get away from us, and we couldn’t stop the bleeding. Basically, we reverted to where we’ve been.
“There’s so much here for us to learn and we’re taking baby steps right now. We need to be thinking ahead rather than reacting. So much of that is experience and confidence, but we also have to learn how to battle through adversity and let our mistakes on offense fuel our fire to fight back rather than let down and hang our heads. That doesn’t mean there weren’t a lot of positives. I hope over the next few weeks we can remember more about how that first half felt instead of dwelling on the second half.”
The Mohigans are off until 2020 when they face John Marshall on the road Jan. 3.
