South Knoxville News

Maryville jumped on the Chase Morgan train once again and the Scots took care of Huntingdon 78-66 on Saturday afternoon.
 
The first-year Morgan scored 20 points to miss his season high by one. Saturday marked his fifth straight game in double-figures, and it pushed his scoring average to a season-best 8.0.
 
Morgan was Maryville's leading scorer Friday night with 17 in the 69-64 overtime win at LaGrange. He shared Saturday honors with Myles Rasnick, who also tallied 20.
 
"Chase had a better week this week than he did seven days ago when he was rookie of the week," Scots head coach Raul Placeres said. "He was phenomenal, and he has a bright future. The more he grows into his body, he's going to be a real low-post threat for us."
 
Jumping on Them Early
Maryville started fast, scoring the game's first 10 points and building leads of 14-3 and 22-5. But a Huntingdon team that has claimed just one win all season hung around and trailed just 34-27 at intermission.
 
The Hawks kept a little momentum going after the break and put together a 7-2 run over the first 4:50 of the second half to pull within 36-34. It was still 38-36 Scots when Rasnick swished a 3-pointer and Morgan dropped in back-to-back layups for a 45-36 advantage with 12:10 remaining.
 
It was never closer than a six-point game the rest of the way as Maryville improved to 13-8 overall and 7-2 in the CCS. That's good for a half-game lead over idle LaGrange (6-2). Huntingdon dropped to 1-21 overall and 0-10 in conference.
 
"I never felt like we were in danger," Placeres said. "It was kind of the same game we had last week against Belhaven. Decisive win at home the first time we played them and then start off great before letting our foot off the pedal a little bit and it becomes a game. But we got some critical stops there midway in that second half and that was the difference.
 
"We had a high intensity game Friday night and turned around less than 24 hours later to have to win another one. We made it a 2-0 weekend and that was the goal."
 
Rice Has the Reins
In addition to the pair of 20-point scorers, Jose Rodriguez scored 11 points to go with seven rebounds. Morgan was the game leader with eight boards and Rasnick had seven as well. Daryl Rice added a game-leading three assists with just one turnover in 28 minutes. He scored 8 points.
 
"Daryl was really good all weekend keeping us under control, getting us into our offense and being our pilot out there," Placeres said. "He's an experienced player and he takes his role seriously. His headiness and maturity are rubbing off on Jaylon Green, who played good defense and also got us into our offense. That's what great point guards do.
 
"And don't forget how Logan Patterson gave us a lift in the first half. That was nice to see."
 
Maryville continues to shine when holding teams under 70 points. The Scots were 2-0 this weekend and now 8-0 for the season.
 
Next on the docket is the final home game of the regular season Tuesday night. Maryville hosts Covenant in the second game of the doubleheader with the women. The first game tips off at 5 p.m.
 
Final Home Game of Regular Season
Covenant enters fresh off an impressive 76-69 road victory Saturday against Belhaven, improving the Lookout Mountain squad to 8-13 overall and 4-4 in the CCS. Maryville won the first meeting 75-67 back on Jan. 3.
 
"They will be ready," Placeres said. "We have had some good games with them of late and they are fighting for a home game in the tournament. We know what we are fighting for and it's our last home game of the season."
 
CCS Men's Basketball Standings
MARYVILLE   7-2
LaGrange    6-2
Belhaven    5-4
Berea       4-4
Piedmont    4-4
Covenant    4-4
Huntingdon  0-10 

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