By Nick Nunn
Staff Writer

The MCMS basketball program faced Youth Middle School and Putnam County this week. The girls lost to Youth 25-26 but beat Putnam 28-16, while the boys lost both games: Youth, 32-45, and Putnam, 44-50.
Although both teams beat Youth Middle School earlier this year, Morgan County was outscored by Youth last week in both games.
The girls game was close throughout. No quarter ended with either team possessing more than a two-point lead.
In the last minutes of the game, Morgan County was slightly ahead, but three made free throw shots by Youth put them ahead 26-25 with 24 seconds to play.

Despite being able to gain possession of the ball in the time remaining, Morgan County could not score again, losing by one point to Youth.

Tatyana Davis’ 16 points led the team, with Salina Fortune adding four points to the total.
The boys got off to a sloppy start, missing eight free throw shots in the first quarter alone.
Lamarcus Stokes pulled the team along, making three two-point field goals and six out of six attempted free throws for a total of 12 points during the game, but Morgan County trailed Youth consistently by approximately 10 points the entire game before losing 32-45.

The teams traveled to Putnam County last Friday night. The girls took an early 9-3 lead in the first quarter and never let up, outscoring Putnam 28-16 over the course of the game.

Tatyana Davis made 18 of the team’s 28 points, and Autumn Woodard followed up with four points.
“Putnam is a tough place to go and play as we seem to always get into foul trouble whenever we go there,” said Coach Brian Cousins. “We were able to overcome foul trouble and turnovers to get the win.”
However, the boys suffered a 44-50 loss, their second to Putnam this season.

The boys fell 10 points behind Putnam in the first quarter, but, despite outscoring the War Eagles in the second and fourth quarters, were not able to close the gap before the end of the game.

Lamarcus Stokes and KeAndre Williams led Morgan County’s scoring with 17 points and 10 points respectively.
“We came out extremely flat with our defensive intensity,” said Coach Milfred Franklin. “Once we started correcting those things and turning up our pressure we were able to get back in the game. But unfortunately we ran out of time.”
“I believe that was the main difference, we waited to late to play.”

Wednesday MCMS faced Social Circle at home and will play Monticello at home this Friday beginning at 4:30. Come out to support the middle school Hoop Dogs as they play some of their last home games of the season.

Printed in the January 17, 2013, edition.