Heading into Tuesday’s game versus Katy Taylor, Morton Ranch shared District 18-5A’s top spot with Hastings at 10-1.

Morton Ranch’s only loss came from Taylor in the first round. The Mavericks, looking for a reprisal, broke out in the fourth quarter for a 63-46 win.

“We had to change the philosophy of how we were going to approach this game,” said Morton Ranch coach Carey Palmer. “We pressed them and played man the first time but this time we didn’t press them and we went zone.”

Palmer went on to say, “Going zone helped us because they’ve got that size which is tough. Corbin (Ray) is six-foot-eight and he can shoot the outside shot and he can post you up. Blake (Matocha) is another monster inside. That size killed us last time.”

The first half of the game was back-and-forth scoring. Taylor’s Corbin Ray scored seven of the Mustangs’ eight first quarter points, trailing Morton Ranch by two.

Taylor’s Phillip Supernaw sank one to give the Mustangs a four-point lead near the end of the second quarter but Morton Ranch ended the half with the lead. Marshall Bell hit the first three of the game to come within one-point and teammate Kevin Foster finished with two baskets for a 21-18 lead.

Morton Ranch beat Taylor two times last year with both games ending at the buzzer.

“They are a team we always struggle with and it comes down to the wire,” said Palmer. “It’s always been tough between us.”

The Mavericks started the third with a three-point shot from Bell. Bell hit another three to increase to an 11-point lead. Taylor’s Ray followed with another three and Parker Stevens ended the quarter with a three, but the Mavericks kept the lead.

Morton Ranch continued to gain points on the Mustangs in the fourth. Kevin Foster sank a three-point basket to go up by 20 early in the quarter and the Mavericks ended up winning 63-46.

“We are fighting for a district championship,” said Palmer. “From here on out they all have to be big wins.”

Morton Ranch will face Hastings Friday.

“We are going to approach it the same as we approached it last time,” said Palmer. "They are a good outside shooting team so we played zone and kind of took that outside shot away. We’re hoping they’re not on that night and not shooting well. We hope the ball bounces our way and I guess we’ll see.”

Hastings played Alief Taylor Tuesday night and if Hastings won, they and Morton Ranch will be tied at 11-1 going into Friday’s game.




 

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