County squads square off: Morrison wins on late 3-pointer

By DALE STUBBLEFIELD / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Centertown’s Jonathan Morris goes up for two points and draws a foul from Irving College’s Gary Milstead while Darrid Wells (43) follows the play during Tuesday’s first-round matchup. (Rob Nunley photo)

Morrison and Dibrell kicked off the action in the boys’ Warren County Elementary Tournament, with Morrision winning on a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left in the game to take a 38-37 win.

Both teams started slow on offense in the first period, with Morrison taking a 9-5 advantage by the end of the period.

In the second quarter Dibrell used aggressive defense which created several early turnovers by Morrison and held the Eagles to just four points in the period. Tyler Blair pulled Dibrell even by the half at 13-13 as he hit for seven of the Wildcats’ points.

In the third period Dibrell worked the ball inside the paint for seven of its 13 points in the period and held a 20-15 lead at the 2:43 mark. But Morrison fought back behind Justin Fults, and pulled within one with 1:38 left in the period. Dibrell extended its lead 26-22, but Todd Dunn hit from the baseline with two seconds left in the quarter to make it a 26-24 game.

In the final period the lead exchanged hands several times and with 1:34 left in the game it was tied once again at 33-33. Ryan Daniel gave the Wildcats back the lead at the one-minute mark, but Rick Johnson answered the call and tied it at 35-all with 48 seconds left.

Blair hit with 32 seconds on the clock to give Dibrell back the lead. Morrison took the ball the length of the court and with 12 seconds Justin Fults put up a three to give Morrison the one-point victory and the right to advance in the tournament.

For the Eagles, Dunn led the way with 12 points. Fults hit for 11, Johnson had nine, Justin Adcock put in four and Jeremy Brown added two points.

For Dibrell, Blair led all scores with 21 points. Allen McCormack had six, Justin Wanamaker hit for five, Daniel had four and Robby Curtis added one point.