MORGAN – After waiting 20 years to claim a district title, the Morgan boys basketball team could not have achieved the accomplishment in a more dramatic way.
With the score tied in overtime and only one second left on the clock, Morgan junior Derik Davenport sank a free throw to hand the Eagles a thrilling 49-48 victory over second place Aquilla to clinch the District 25-1A championship Tuesday night.
Morgan (11-1 in district, 24-5 overall) held a five-point lead going into the final period, but Aquilla junior Ethan Laramore sank a three-pointer as time expired in regulation to send the game into overtime.
With the score tied 43-43 at the end of regulation, Laramore drained another three-pointer, giving Aquilla (9-3) the lead to open overtime. But the Eagles responded as sophomore Emilio Villalovos hit a three-pointer before Manuel Muniz got fouled, hitting two from the line.
Davenport went to the line with one second remaining, but missed the first free throw. The Cougars called time out to freeze him, but Davenport calmly returned to the line and drained the game winner.
“I’m so proud of my boys,” Morgan boys basketball head coach Jeff Harrison said. “We teach our kids that everything is earned, and they earned the district title. It has been 20 years since we have had one, so there is no containing the joy and excitement that we all have. We did it. It was a special night.”
Davenport finished with a game-high 30 points while pulling down four rebounds, dishing out two assists and grabbing three steals. Laramore led Aquilla with 24 points.
Morgan set up the district championship showdown against Aquilla with a convincing 76-59 victory over playoff-bound Covington last Friday night. Davenport led the Eagles with 47 points, followed by Villalovos with 13 points and sophomore Hasiel Munoz with 10.
“It was a good win against Covington,” Harrison said. “We did a good job of making mid-game adjustments and were able to take care of business. And Derik is an All State caliber player. He played an amazing game.”
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
