MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Saturday morning, the third-ranked Class AAA Morgantown boys’ basketball team hosted OVAC foe Steubenville (Ohio), and in a rare occurrence, every player on both teams ended up with points in the scoring column. However, from the opening tip, it was clear that the Mohigans were going to have their 12 players score more than the Big Reds’ 11, as MHS blasted out to big 28-6 first quarter lead and cruised to a dominating 80-45 victory.
While the Big Reds (10-7) were missing their leading scorer, center Calvin Bickerstaff, it was the Morgantown (13-2) mainstays of rock-solid pressure defense and outside shooting that put the game essentially on ice early. Steubenville simply was not prepared for the quickness and intensity of the MHS pressure, and it led to multiple turnovers and transition baskets.
Alec Poland scored all nine of his points in that pivotal first quarter, while Alex Rudy was hot from deep in the second quarter, canning two triples and a long jumper to help widen the gap to a robust 48-17 at the break.
When the Morgantown starters came out a bit too sluggish for coach Dave Tallman’s liking in the second half, his second unit, especially Max Washington, provided energy and points to further consolidate the lead to reach 40 points at 60-20 just before the third quarter ended. In the final frame, Tallman was happy to empty the back end of the bench, and the Mohigans sideline was especially pumped when Lonnie Borom swished a triple and oft-injured Ryan Smith used his quickness to score a pair of field goals before the final buzzer.
The feel-good win was number 13 for Tallman’s team, and he appreciated the effort and enthusiasm from all twelve of his guys.
“It’s good to reward with playing time in games like these,” Tallman said. “Especially when guys step in and play the way we want them to. They all work very hard, and ours is a tough line-up to crack, so it helps everyone when the whole team can make contributions on the scoresheet.
“I thought Max (Washington) played the game of his life today. ]He was strong on the boards, tenacious and hustling on defense, and that good defensive performance seemed to translate over into his offensive game. He played with confidence, and it really showed.”
Washington scored 12 points — second to Rudy’s 15 to lead MHS — including a pair of 3-pointers, and said after the game that he’s comfortable playing on the wing as well as in the paint.
“It felt really good out there,” Washington said. “Coach Tallman needs me to be a center or a 4, but in AAU ball, because everyone is pretty tall, I play on the wing a lot. So I’m learning how to play facing the basket and with my back to the hoop, and I feel like it’s making me a better player, more versatile.”
The Mohigans host Preston Monday night at 7:30 p.m.
STEUBENVILLE (10-7)
Kernahan 1 0-2 2; Jones 2 2-2 8; Sawyer 0 1-2 1; Gresko 1 1-1 3; Zimmerman 3 0-0 6; Krause 4 0-0 10; Wickham 1 0-0 2; Owens 1 0-0 2; Rook 1 0-0 3; Jackson 2 2-3 6; McCoy 1 0-2 2. Totals 17 6-12 45.
MORGANTOWN (13-2)
Poland 3 2-2 9; Battle 2 0-0 4; Gage 1 0-0 4; McMillan 1 2-2 5; Bechtel 0 2-2 2; Pryor 4 0-0 8; Smith 2 0-0 4; Rudy 6 0-0 15; Rollo 3 0-0 9; Poffenberger 2 0-0 4; Borom 1 1-2 4; Washington 5 0-0 12. Totals 31 7-8 80.
SHS 6 11 6 22 — 45
MHS 28 20 12 20 — 80
3-pointers: SHS 5 (Krause 2, Jones 2, Rook); MHS 11 (Rudy 3, Rollo 3, Washington 2, Borom, McMillan, Poland)
