Moran basketball teams stay busy
The Moran varsity Bulldogs dropped their basketball season opener in Gustine last Tuesday, Nov. 27.
The ’Dawgs kept it close in the first quarter before pulling ahead to lead 29-27 at intermission. But the Tigers clawed their way back in the second half, and came out on top with a final score of 56-47.
The Bulldogs played in the Woodson tournament last weekend and then traveled to Highland on Tuesday, Dec. 4 for a 7:30 p.m. match.
The first game in the Woodson tournament matched the Bulldogs against Albany’s JV Lions.
“After overcoming a scrappy Albany team on Thursday 40-24, our Bulldogs fought Newcastle most of the contest before coming up short 36-53,” said head coach Harley Ethridge. “In the third place game on Saturday, our boys showcased a stingy defense that only allowed 24 points to an overwhelmed Anson JV squad.”
Moran beat Anson 66-24 to take third in the tournament.
The coach named Kobee Lapp and Lyric Huskey as offensive standouts, and Arren Hawley and Braden Crow for defense.
“Harley Schafer swept the boards for 21 rebounds, Kobee had 20 and Jesse (Hawley) brought down 13 rebounds,” said Ethridge. “And I want to congratulate Kobee on being named to the All-Tournament team because of his overall game, his harassing pressure defense, and his solid rebounding.”
Results from the Highland bout were not available at press time.
The high school boys are entered in the Rochelle tournament this Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 6-8, before returning to Highland for a rematch on Friday, Dec. 21 at 1:00 p.m.
The ’Dawgs will take off a week for Christmas and then host Lueders-Avoca to a 1:00 p.m. tip-off on New Year’s Eve.
District matches start on Jan. 11, when the varsity boys welcome Baird to Bulldog Gym.
Moran plays basketball in District 20-1A with Baird, Clyde Eula, Gordon, Ranger, and Strawn.
Junior High Boys
The junior high Bulldogs lost their first game of the year to Ranger on Nov. 26, but bounced back into the win column this Monday, Dec. 3, with a 36-29 victory over the visiting Baird Bears.
“The boys keep improving each week,” said coach Matthew Hise. “I am very proud of them all.”
Scoring for the Bulldogs against Baird were Braxton Ethridge 30, Ellis Hise 4, and Caleb York 2.
Ranger beat Moran 31-22 on Monday, Nov. 26, in Ranger. Earning points for the JH Bulldogs were Ethridge 20, and Memphis McGough 2.
Woodson JH Tourney
Scoring for the Moran junior high boys in the victory over Paint Creek were Ethridge 28, York 2, and McGough 2.
Scoring for Moran in a 34-27 win over Albany were Ethridge 28, York 4, and Josh Lorenzana 2.
JH Schedule
The junior high Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs finish out 2018 on the road, heading to Eula for games starting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 10, and to Strawn for two games starting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17. The basketball teams will take off for the Christmas break, and then begin 2019 hosting Gordon on Jan. 10.
Lady Bulldogs
Results were not available for the Lady Bulldogs matches with Gustine on Nov. 27.
The Moran High School girls fell to the Albany JV 24-51 in the first game at the Woodson tournament on Nov. 29. Results of the other tournament games were not available at press time.
The Lady Bulldogs will play in a tournament in Rochelle on Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 6-8.
Moran varsity girls host Throckmorton to a 6:00 p.m. bout on Friday, Dec. 14, and then are off until the Munday tournament on Dec. 27-29.
