Webster to Host North Marion for Regional Championship after Rout of Ritchie County

For the second year in a row, the Highlanders are Sectional Champions after a lopsided 74 to 48 win over the visiting 10th ranked Ritchie County Rebels in the Sectional Championship game Friday evening.

2013 Sectional Champion Webster County Highlanders

With the sectional title under their belts, the 8th ranked Highlanders are once again a member of the "Sweet 16" in Class AA. They will now host the North Marion Huskies next Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. for the Regional Championship and a berth on the line to be among the "Elite 8" at the State Tournament in Charleston. North Marion lost their Sectional Championship game to the Fairmont Senior Polar Bears. The Polar Bears will now host Ritchie County for the other Regional title in Region 1.

In the Sectional Championship game against the Rebels, the dynamic duo of seniors Brett Morris and Hunter Given combined for 49 points to lead the rout. Webster led at the end of the first quarter 18 to 10 and never looked back. Morris brought the crowd to its feet not once but twice during the quarter with slam dunks. In the second quarter, the Highlanders increased their lead to 39 to 23 at halftime, leaving Rebel fans quite quiet.

The third quarter was no different as the Highlanders outscored Ritchie County 20 to 11 to take a commanding lead at the end of the third quarter at 59 to 34. Webster then coasted in the fourth quarter to the final score of 74 to 48.

Brett Morris had a "triple-double."

Hunter Given had
24 points (photo by
Teri Given).

Morris had his first "triple-double" of the season, as he claimed 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 blocked shots. Morris narrowly missed out on a "quadruple-double" as he added 8 assists, and also had two steals.

For the second game in a row when the chips were on the line, Given poured in 24 points, and added 8 rebounds, 5 steals, and 4 assists. Given carried the team in the relatively close first quarter with his inside and outside shooting.

Logan Taylor scored 8 points.

Logan Taylor, who was playing his first game after suffering a concussion in practice before the Braxton County game, added a surprising 8 points and 2 rebounds.

After the game, an obviously satisfied head coach Jerry Dean said of the big win that "our kids were really focused--I think our seniors had something to do with that."  He added that "I thought every kid who stepped on the court [for Webster] played extremely hard ... and I'm proud of them."

Student fans at the Sectional Championship game
(photo by Teri Given).

Other Webster players on the stat sheet include: Dalton Davis, 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist; Drew Green, 4 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; Stephen Cogar, 4 points, 2 rebounds; Robbie Cogar, 2 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 blocked shot; Jake Thayer, 2 points, 2 rebounds; Hunter Williams, 1 point, 2 rebounds; Guy Cowger, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal; and Rick Holcomb, 1 rebound.

As a team, Webster made 30 of 66 shots (45%), including only 3 of 15 from three point range (20%). From the free throw line, Webster made 11 of 17 shots (64%).

Webster improves to 19 wins, 3 losses on the season. The Highlander gym will be rocking next Wednesday night for the Regional Championship.