Morgan Co. 68 Prestonburg 56

[gold sunrise]

Final

[Nothingbutnet]

CONGRATS TO THE COUGARS!!

[Nets]

Morgan County moves to 17-3 with the win tonight.

 

Morgan County didn't play particularly well however. Although leading between 12-15 points most of the way in the 2nd half, Morgan Co. was miserable at the free throw line 13-25. They also committed some very uncharacteristic turnovers.

 

Despite the so-so performance, Morgan was able to really pound the basketball inside to Blake McCowan who finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds. Katlin Haney had another solid game with 14 points. The Cougars were overall stronger than the BlackCats, however Prestonsburg has a whole lot of talented players. A solid starting 5 that will contend for a 15th regional possibly. They have size with Sean Leslie at about 6'6" and Lewis Barnett should cause a lot of matchup problems within the 15th region. Steady guard play will also help P'Burg down the road.

 

Nothing much exciting else to report. Cougars get a "W" and move on.

[Blue Man]

I'm also glad to hear that they won easier than earlier in the year!

[oldgrad]

The Blackcats came out flat after a 7 day layoff. Lewis Barnette and Michael Stephens were both in double figures with 19 and 16 points respectively. Tough to win in the 16th.

congrats to Morgan Co.

[Chicoman]

Congrats to Morgan Co. on the win. The Blackcats played well for about a quarter and half then they let Morgan Co. control the tempo of the game from then on.

Despite having a good week of practice,the long layoff of not playing seemed to hurt the Cats in this one. The Cats won't have any long layoffs from here out as the rest of Feb. is pretty hectic schedule wise.

The physical play favored the Cougars and P'burg didn't respond to it as well as they had during their winning streak. Morgan Co. shot 26 ft's and P'burg shot 9.

P'burg did force some turnovers but had some costly ones of their own.The 16th region has a different interpretation of a carry call than other regions and that hurt P'burg a couple times in transition.

 

McCowan had a very good game for Morgan Co. as he had a double/double,he had not hurt P'burg much in their 1st meeting but got more touches in this one. Peyton,who hurt the Cats the first time around was defended better,but it freed up McCowan more. Morgan Co. as usual will be a tough draw in the 16th,good luck the rest of the way.

 

It was good to get Stephens back on track scoring wise as he and Barnette both got dbl. digits. Leslie did not have a great game but the way he's played all year (great) he was bound to eventually have an off night.

The Blackcats will get back to work and get ready for their big dist. games coming up.

[Nets]

As far as official's interpretations, I think it's obvious that the 15th and 16th region is called much differently. When Morgan played at Pike Central they came away with some mind blowing interpretations of calls from what I hear. In one game Morgan Co. had a team in the double bonus in the first quarter, comparable to the other teams (1) foul.

 

As for the palming call, when you place your hand underneath the basketball and bring to rest or pause (usually with change of direction) it will be called, it's a clear rule and I did see one that wasn't called where a player in last night's game had it in his right hand dribbling, stopped, vitually rested the ball in his hand then brought it across his body....and continued. Those are easy calls. The walking call that the officials called (2 times) on Morgan Co. was the correct call. I felt the Morgan player moved their feet before the dribble went down. Although it went against Morgan, it was the right call.

 

Prestonsburg has some terrific hard playing kids and athleticism, I would love to see them win the 15th region and head to Rupp Arena, I believe with continued support from their fans and support their coaches, they can achieve their goal. Quality people there in P'Burg.

[Chicoman]

Nets

Interpretation is the key word....Notice I didn't say they were bad calls,they are just called different in the 15th. I knew going in that Morgan's coaches wanted that call made during the Pike Co. tourney(in all their games there,not just the P'burg game) so I'm sure they may have planted that in the ref's ear. P'burg would've done the same thing.

While I know neither team played it's best,maybe it will help both get ready for tourney time.

[STRIKE3]

Sounds like Blake had a pretty good game.

[Nets]

I think Prestonsburg will be a tough out in the 15th region, Chicoman. I think the games played between Morgan/Prestonsburg helps both teams in preparation for the stretch run.

[Caveman]

Terrible free throw performance the other night but it sure is good to see Kat playing better. Wolfe Co. tomorrow night. :fight:

[BigCat23]

Good win for Morgan. Kinda what I expected to see, but not exactly. The Cougars still seem to get to comfortable when they get a 10- 12 point lead. I thought there were several chances for them to put the game way out of reach from the second quarter on.

You are right caveman free throws seem to be a problem for the Cougars. I don't think it has been the difference between a win or a loss yet, but come tourney time it could play a big factor.

 

:thumb: to the coaching staff of Morgan County!