Highlanders Back in Win Column After Easy Victory Over Midland Trail

Despite a relatively close first half, the visiting Webster County Highlander boys' basketball team ran away from the Midland Trail Patriots 81 to 54 Thursday evening in Hico.

Except for the first few minutes, Webster kept a comfortable lead throughout the entire game. The Highlanders held an 8 point lead at the end of the first quarter at 22 to 14 and increased the lead to 37 to 26 at halftime. They outscored the Patriots 26 to 18 in the third quarter to take an insurmountable 63 to 44 lead into the final stanza. At this point, both coaches cleared their respective benches early in the fourth quarter, and Webster ran further ahead to the final score of 81 to 54.

Senior Brett Morris put on a virtual basketball clinic on both offense and defense, leading all scorers with 24 points. Morris also had a whopping 18 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, and 4 blocked shots. 

For the second game in a row, junior Dalton Davis had a strong game at both ends of the court. Davis scored 13 points and had 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 assist. Senior Hunter Given nailed 16 points, with 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals.

Freshman Robbie Cogar is about to receive the "no look" pass from senior
Brett Morris in the fourth quarter of the Midland Trail game this evening.

Perhaps the most interesting development of the night was head coach Jerry Dean's decision to move up freshman Robbie Cogar to the varsity squad. Cogar saw significant playing time in the game, scoring 6 points, including an easy layup basket off of a smooth "no look" pass from Morris. Despite his freshman status, Cogar performed at a much higher level and will continue to be another weapon in the Highlander arsenal. Cogar also had 1 steal, 1 blocked shot, and 1 assist.

Others playing for Webster included: Stephen Cogar, 6 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steal, 1 blocked shot, 1 assist; Guy Cowger, 5 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists; Jake Thayer, 6 points, 2 rebounds; Lance Stout, 3 points; Rick Holcomb, 2 points, 3 blocked shots, 2 rebounds; David Muzny, 5 rebounds, 1 assist; and Logan Taylor, 2 rebounds, 1 blocked shot.

With the win, Webster improved to five wins, one loss on the season. They next play the Richwood Lumberjacks at Highlander gym in Upperglade on Friday, January 11, 2012, followed by a trip to Ravenswood on Saturday, January 12, 2012.

Assistant Coach Eddie Mazzella's junior varsity team also won their game over the junior varsity Patriots by a score of 56 to 44.