Moran girls narrowly miss playoffs
By Sam Waller
The Moran Lady Bulldogs came agonizingly close to earning a spot in the Class 1A girls basketball playoffs, falling 39-38 in overtime to Baird in a District 13-1A playoff Thursday, Feb. 10, at Breckenridge.
The Lady Bulldogs assured themselves of a spot in the play-in game on Tuesday, Feb. 8, with a 57-41 victory at Rising Star.
Moran finished the season 8-20 overall and 3-7 in district.
The Baird Lady Bears, who played three consecutive nights because of a weather postponement, faced Hermleigh on Monday, Feb. 14, in the bi-district round of the playoffs.
At Rising Star, Moran jumped out in front 16-5 in the first quarter and led 28-13 at halftime. The Lady Bulldogs took a 45-27 lead into the fourth quarter.
Johnnie Hise poured in 29 points to lead Moran with Alli Scott adding 13 points and Hannah Noble 11. Emily Murk and Alyssa Allred each scored two points.
In the district playoff against Baird, Moran led 9-2 after the first quarter, but Baird outscored the Lady Bulldogs in every period after that. The Lady Bears forced the extra period with an 8-4 edge in the fourth quarter, then posted a 6-5 advantage in overtime.
Moran had a shot for the win in the final seconds that refused to fall.
Hise led the Lady Bulldogs with 14 points and Noble added 11. Harmony Slaughter scored six points and Hannah Rogers scored three, while Scott and Murk each scored two.
Boys Basketball
The Bulldogs boys basketball team split its two games last week, picking up its first district win.
On Tuesday, Feb. 8, Moran defeated Rising Star 32-28 to break a 12-game losing streak. On Friday, Feb. 11, the Bulldogs lost 70-27 to May in their final home game.
Moran (2-15 overall, 1-8 District 13-1A) closed out the season Tuesday, Feb. 15, with a road game at Baird.
Against Rising Star, Moran turned an 8-5 first-quarter lead into a 24-10 halftime advantage and led 28-17 after three periods, then held on in the fourth quarter. Rising Star outscored the Bulldogs 11-4 over the final eight minutes.
Ellis Hise scored a game-high 14 points and Arren Hawley added 10 points to lead the Bulldogs. Caleb York had four points with Tyler Waddell and Cotten Campbell each scoring two.
Against May, Moran fell behind 24-8 in the first quarter and trailed 41-10 at halftime. The Bulldogs were outscored 18-6 in the third quarter before matching May 11-11 in the fourth.
Hawley led the Bulldogs with 13 points, hitting Moran’s only 3-pointer. York added eight points with Hise scoring four and Riley Noble two.
