MORGANTOWN – Saturday night’s slugfest between Morgantown High and Washington could have very well been a preview of the matchup we see in the Class AAAA boys basketball state championship in a few weeks in Charleston.
Two of the top teams in the state met inside the Rowdie Center at MHS, hoping to make a statement win as postseason play loomed.
After a strong second-half effort, including only allowing nine points to the Patriots in the third quarter, Morgantown (16-1) picked up what could be its most important win of the season over the top-ranked team in this week’s MetroNews Power Poll, 62-55.
“First off, hats off to Washington, they’re a true contender and the real deal,” MHS head coach Dave Tallman said. “That was an absolute battle, and for us to win a game like that took a total team effort. I told them that in the locker room just now. Everybody who played contributed in a big way, and there’s a good chance we may see them again.”
Junior Max Frey led MHS with 18 points. Fellow junior Collin Ridgeway added 11, including three massive 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, with sophomore Arlo Colistra contributing 10 points.
Washington (16-2) was led by Jasiah King with a game-high 20 points, with Kris Doleman adding 13 in the defeat.
It was the visitors who took control early, though, leading nearly the entire first half after an 18-13 advantage in the first quarter.
That lead continued throughout the second, eventually growing to seven points, 30-23, with 2:30 left until halftime.
But senior Marcus Goins sparked an MHS run with five huge points, beginning with a triple from the corner and following with a layup on a fastbreak.
The Patriots responded with a turnover, and the hosts sent the game into the break tied at 30 with a putback by Arlo Colistra.
“Marcus and I talked the other day. He’s been struggling a little bit this year, but he’s one of the best shooters I’ve ever coached, and I just told him the season isn’t over and that I believe in him,” Tallman said of his senior guard, Goins. “I know he’ll get a run going when it matters, and tonight was a huge one for us. Everyone did great all around.”
Washington stole the lead back 35-32 to open the third quarter, but after a pair of layups by Frey and Arlo Colistra, the Mohigans exploded for an 11-0 run that extended the lead to eight, 43-35.
The Patriots, who average 71 points per game, scored only 9 points in the third quarter, and MHS led 43-39 entering the final 8 minutes of the game.
“Jayden Smalls really stepped up tonight when we had some players in foul trouble,” Tallman said. “He hasn’t played a ton of minutes this season and came in and played well when we needed him the most. He’s just a winner.”
The Mohigans held their lead for the entirety of the fourth quarter, growing the advantage to as many as 11 points to earn a massive win heading into March.
“Coach Miller and I talked at halfcourt after the game about how these two teams are contenders,” Tallman said. “There are five or six teams in our class that can win it; it should be a lot of fun to watch. We made some mistakes, but we did a ton of good things and made winning plays.”
MHS will hit the road on Wednesday for a contest with Buckhannon-Upshur.
BOX SCORE
Morgantown 62, Washington 55
WASH 18 12 9 16 – 55
MORG 13 17 13 19 – 62
Washington (16-2) – King 8 4-4 20 Doleman 4 4-4 13 Marrero 4 0-0 9 Watkins 3 1-2 7 Gore 1 1-1 3 Hairston 1 0-0 3
Morgantown (16-1) – Frey 4 8-8 18 Ridgeway 3 2-2 11 A. Colistra 4 1-1 10 W. Colistra 4 0-0 8 Kellogg 0 2-2 2 Goins 2 0-0 5 Henkins 1 3-4 5 B. Colistra 1 0-0 2 Smalls 0 1-2 1
3pt goals made: Washington 4 (King 1 Doleman 1 Hairston 1 Marrero 1); Morgantown 6 (Ridgeway 3 Frey 2 Goins 1).
