CHARLESTON — After defeating the Bridgeport Indians 64-39 on Tuesday in the quarterfinals in the Class AAAA boys’ state basketball tournament, the top-seeded Morgantown High Mohigans (24-2) will continue their state title defense in the semifinals against fourth-seeded Huntington. The Highlanders ran past South Charleston 67-44 in the opening round.
Huntington is an athletic team that can stretch the floor on offense and shoots from deep from nearly every position. In the first half against SC on Tuesday, HHS shot 6 for 11 from deep, with three separate players making two each.
“They (Huntington) are a good team who are very skilled and athletic,” MHS coach Dave Tallman said on Wednesday. “We need to play great team defense tomorrow and help each other out.”
Defense is something MHS has taken pride in all season, using the overall speed of the team to its advantage in any matchup. In fact, the Mohigans have scored nearly 650 more points than they’ve allowed to their opposition this season. In 26 games played this year, MHS has only allowed three of its opponents to surpass 60 points in the game, beating two of them.
“Limiting their transition and easy points,” Tallman said when asked what will be the key to victory in tomorrow’s game. “We need to make them work for everything that they get.”
HHS does include a familiar face to the MHS players from last year’s team, as SC transfer Duane Harris now plays at Huntington. Harris and MHS point guard Sharron Young grew up playing AAU together and matched up in last year’s semifinal as MHS defeated SC 58-42.
“He’s a great player, we’ve played against each other our whole life, so I’m looking forward to competing with our team,” Harris said. “For me, it’s not about the 1-on-1 matchup but working as a team to get the win.”
Huntington head coach Ty Holmes knows the challenge MHS posts and says his team is excited for the opportunity to play the defending state champions.
“They have good size and are a great team overall,” Holmes said after the win against SC Tuesday. “We are excited to compete against the number-one team in the state, who have been number-one since even last year. It gives us a chance to see where we’re at and come together as a team and be solid.”
Sharron Young will play his third game since returning from a hand injury. The junior scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished five assists in the quarterfinals, and seems that he hasn’t missed a step.
“I’m 100 percent,” Young said Tuesday. “It was hard not being out there with my team but I’m back and ready to help my team win.”
“I’m sure Sharron is excited for the matchup,” Tallman said. “He has a complete game. If he’s open he will make the shot. If they collapse, he will make the correct pass to his teammates that he has complete trust in.”
Morgantown and Huntington will tip off in the second of two Class AAAA semifinals on Thursday at 7:15 p.m. in the second game of the evening session. The winner will play the winner of Parkersburg South and Jefferson, the first 4A semifinal.
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