Mavericks gets the last run
Facing each other for the second time this year, Morton Ranch and Westside knew what to expect.
Defense was a factor early, which helped Morton Ranch jump out to a 20-2 lead and hang on for a 58-47 defeat of The Westside Wolves, in Bi-District Playoffs Tuesday night at Coleman Coliseum. The win sends the Mavericks to the Area Round of the Playoffs where they will face Elsik at a site and time to be determined.
The Mavericks (30-5) used their stingy defense to force Westside into turnovers to control the tempo of the game early. Down 20-6 at the end of one quarter, the Wolves bounced back while Morton Ranch went through a cold spell.
“Basketball is a game of momentum. We had it the first quarter they had it in the second quarter. It was back and fourth the third and fourth quarter but we were able to close it out. Its good to get that first win, we’ve been here twice before and hadn’t got that win,” said Carey Palmer, Morton Ranch Coach.
Mike Harmon and Chuck Anyasinti stopped a 10-0 Westside run when they scored, Harmon knocked down a midrange shot in the lane while Anyasinti took a feed inside from Lance Watkins as he banked it in off the glass to give the Mavericks a 24-10 lead. Moments later Roderick Trimont and Jamarcus Williams answered with a couple of quick layups to trim the lead 27-16. Timothy Travis completed the 6-0 run with two free throws, taking the Wolves to halftime down 27-18.
“our team played hard as we could and just played as a team. I just tried to get out there do all the stuff people are not doing, like rebounding, getting steals, playing hard and when we needed a score, I scored,” said Michael Fisher Morton Ranch Shooting Guard.
In the third quarter just before Westside cut the lead down to eight, Harmon picked up a loose ball and nail a trey from the right side. Bill Hebert added a layup to open the gap,32-16.
“It was a hard fought game but Carey Palmer does a great job with his kids,” said Deon Williams. We knew they were going to be tough coming and a lot of experience, he and I had a conversation. They struggled in the last couple of years. They had a really strong year, so they high expectations and it showed. It was unfortunate for our seniors and our team but the youth we have, it’s valuable experience for them.”
Robert Hatter connected on an NBA 3-pointer to start the fourth as the Wolves trimmed the deficit to five,40-35. The game continued its runs from both teams but the Mavericks never relinquish the lead.
Senior guard Mike Harmon led the Mavericks in scoring with 17 points and Timothy Travis chipped in 11 for Westside.