MORGANTOWN – If there was any question about the most-anticipated game of the year in West Virginia boys basketball, look no further for your answer.
The No. 2 Morgantown Mohigans welcome the No. 1 Spring Mills Cardinals to the Rowdie Center for a rematch of last season’s Class AAAA state championship tonight at 7:30 p.m.
Both clubs enter the contest unbeaten thus far this season. MHS holds a 34.8 margin of victory through five games, while the Cardinals have picked up wins against Washington (78-46), Linsly (64-31), and a two-point win on the road against No. 3 Parkersburg South 66-64.
Spring Mills is led by returning first-team all-state selections Caleb Thomas and Akwasi Opoku-Achampong. Thomas scored 42 points against Washington on January 4.
The Mohigans and head coach Dave Tallman are eager to get back out on the court after the weather delays last week.
“There’s a lot of hype around this game, but from our standpoint, we’re excited to finally get back out and play someone wearing a different jersey,” Tallman said. “We try not to get caught up in wins or losses at this point of the season, it’s a marathon and not a sprint. We hope to play well, and winning at home would be great too.”
MHS has won 50 consecutive games at home inside the Rowdie Center.
“Morgantown is, really, really good, and that program is exactly where we want to put ourselves,” Spring Mills head coach Luke Samples said on MetroNews High School Sportsline. “Playing at Morgantown is tough. They have won 50 straight games at home. It is going to be hard to do. They’re so good, and Coach Tallman does a fantastic job there.”
The Cardinals bring back all five starters from last season’s state runner-up roster, including the addition of Chayse Shipley from Martinsburg.
“They have everyone back and added some pieces, too,” Tallman said. “They’re very athletic and talented in many ways. They’re very vocal, as they were last year. We’re going to focus on what we can control. It’s just another game. We want to peak in March.”
One thing is for sure: if you’re a fan of good basketball, Morgantown High School is the place to be on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
“This should be a fun matchup for our fans and the basketball junkies,” Tallman said. “It’ll give everyone something to talk about, and we hope to have a big crowd.”
