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Springboro's Morgan leads team to win holiday tourney

Highly touted center scores 24 points as Springboro wins tourney.

Springboro's Andrew Garnica splits Middletown's Zach Edwards and Chance Sorrell on his way to score in the first half of their game in the Domino's Holiday Tournament 2011 at Springboro High School Friday, Dec. 30, 2011.

E.L. Hubbard Springboro's Andrew Garnica splits Middletown's Zach Edwards and Chance Sorrell on his way to score in the first half of their game in the Domino's Holiday Tournament 2011 at Springboro High School Friday, Dec. 30, 2011.

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By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer Updated 2:09 AM Saturday, December 31, 2011

SPRINGBORO — Middletown High School’s boys basketball team departed Springboro with an empty feeling in its collective gut Friday night.

Maverick Morgan had no such problem.

The 6-foot-10 junior center was named Most Valuable Player in Springboro’s Domino’s Holiday Tournament, scoring 24 points and leading the unbeaten Panthers to a thrilling 49-47 victory.

“In my mind, it’s definitely a statement,” said Morgan, who tallied 16 second-half points while totaling nine rebounds, three assists and two blocks. “Our scouting report said, ‘Expect to win.’ That’s a tough thing to do when the other team is filling up the stands and they’re more athletic than you. You’ve just got to pull it out.”

Springboro (8-0) had some shaky moments at crunch time, but never trailed after Ryan Murray’s 3-pointer put the hosts up 40-38 with 4:06 left.

Murray was an all-tournament selection with nine points and eight boards for the Panthers, who played without starting guard Jake Pfahl (sickness). Matt Delbridge and Jack Mapes added eight points apiece.

“Middletown’s a very athletic team, and we had to weather their runs,” Springboro coach Troy Holtrey said. “I’m proud of our guys. I’m proud of their composure. I’m proud of their toughness.”

Geovonie McKnight scored 14 points and Vincent Edwards had eight for the Middies (5-2). Together, they had been averaging 37.3 points per contest.

Middletown turned the ball over only seven times, yet shot 31.1 percent from the floor.

“That’s a combination of shot selection, lack of execution and loss of focus by our team,” Middies coach Josh Andrews said. “We needed to have a little more trust in our system.”

Middletown misfired on a drive down the lane with about 12 seconds left. Delbridge got the rebound and hit one free throw at the other end to make it 49-47. The Middies then missed a 3-pointer in the closing seconds.

Morgan fought through foul trouble and admitted he was fortunate to be on the floor at the end.

“Honestly, I got lucky on a couple calls,” Morgan said.

Edwards notched 12 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. McKnight was an all-tournament pick.

“We have absolutely no excuses,” Andrews said. “Our two major goals, winning our league and making a deep run toward the city of Columbus in March, are still out there for us.”

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