Eastside, Morrison go head-to-head:Bulldog boys christen new gym with win

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Eastside’s Morgan Wilcher grabs the rebound as Morrison’s Zach West tries to knock the ball free in Monday night elementary basketball action at Eastside. (Dale Stubblefield photo)

Monday night at Eastside the Bulldogs celebrated the opening of their new gym with a victory over the Morrison Eagles, 28-24.

Morgan Wilcher put Eastside on the board first with a basket from the paint for two of the Bulldogs’ six points in the first quarter. Morrison’s Jonathan Holland gave the Eagles a one-point lead after one period of play as he had four of the Eagles’ seven points. Zach West had a field goal and hit one foul shot for Morrison in the first period.

Eastside turned up the defense and held Morrison to just two points in the second quarter, causing many turnovers from the Eagles. Wilcher continued to dominate the paint for the Bulldogs, as he gave Eastside a 14-9 lead at the half.

In the third quarter both teams turned up their offensive intensity. Eastside turned to Todd Gilley and Caleb Underhill as they combined for eight of the Bulldogs’ 10 points in the third quarter. Holland hit a 3-pointer, then Bobby Fults added four points for Morrison to keep the game within five at the end of three quarters.

The fourth quarter was a defensive battle, as Eastside hit for just four points in the quarter. Morrison tried to make a late run, but fell short with five points in the final period of play as Eastside took the victory.

Leading the way for Eastside were Gilley and Wilcher with 10 points each. Underhill had four, Logan Seamons and Austin Young had two points each.

For the Eagles, Holland had nine, Fults eight and West had seven points on the night.