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Morgantown deals Cougars initial loss

By Bob Madison - For the Chronicle | Dec 23, 2022

MORGANTOWN — Defending state champion Morgantown benefitted from the numerous layups and many more free throws it attempted in dispatching Jefferson, 87-57, in the last of four games played in the Little General Holiday Classic staged last week at Morgantown High School.

The lopsided loss was Jefferson High School’s first of the season after two wins — one of those wins coming the previous night against University High, 82-68. Morgantown improved its early-season record to 5-0 by moving to a 52-30 lead after the score had been tied at 20-20. Jefferson managed only eight points in the second period.

Steals — even in its half-court defense — led to a breakout of Morgantown layups that quickly extended its increasing lead.

When it was not scoring a second-quarter layup, the Mohicans made a steady stream of long-range three-pointers to get away from the Cougars.

When the game’s tempo and pace were reduced to half-court offenses Morgantown had all the best of it, outrebounding the Cougars, 47-27. Morgantown also converted 13-of-15 free throws while Jefferson went only 2-for-6 from the free throw line.

But when the tempo resulted in a spread court and rapid ball movement by Morgantown, the Mohicans usually found open shots that they converted.

Jaiden Gladney, who scored 18 points in the earlier tournament win over University, totaled 22 points in the loss to Morgantown.

It was a barrage of three-pointers that lifted the Cougars into an early lead over University. Of the dozen “3’s” the Cougars had, 10 of them came in the first half. And the Cougars made 16-of-20 free throws.

Will Shively scored 17 of his 18 points in the definitive first half. He also had nine rebounds. Gladney had eight rebounds in addition to his double-figure scoring.

Kylan Johnson (14 points) and Jamari Jenkins (12 points) were the other Cougars scoring in double figures.

Jefferson once held a 37-25 lead that it extended to 46-33 by halftime. It was 63-45 after three quarters.

Will Shively had scored 11 points in the first quarter alone.

The Hawks were guilty of committing 18 turnovers, some coming against the Jefferson pressure. That same pressure would prove fruitless against Morgantown the next day.

Quality teams are little dazed by any zone press defenses, and usually find close-in shot-attempts when facing such alignments. Morgantown was a quality team, and showed its home-court composure and versatility in defeating Jefferson by 30 points.