By Nick Nunn
Staff Writer

After last week’s 68-53 victory against Oconee County and 48-44 win over Franklin County, the Morgan County High School varsity boys’ team finished their regular season as the top-ranked team in the 8-AAA region. Those last two victories bring the Dogs’ overall record to 20-5 with a 13-1 region record.
The girls’ varsity, however, fell off in the last week; the Lady Dogs were outscored by Oconee County 35-38 and Franklin County 39-57. The girls’ record – 9-12 overall and 6-8 in the region – earned them a fourth-place ranking for the upcoming playoffs.
Although the Lady Dogs were able to maintain a lead through most of their game against Oconee County last week – at the end of the third quarter, they were still ahead 29-24 – the lead slipped away from them late in the game because of several missed opportunities during transitions.
The Lady Lions of Franklin County were able to get a quick 17-11 lead on the Lady Dogs during the first quarter in Franklin County on Friday.
That six-point gap only grew throughout the game; at halftime Morgan County was trailing 18-27, on their way to the 39-57 final score for the loss.
The boys had difficulties against Oconee County during the first half of their game, after which they were losing 23-26.
The Dogs were able to turn it around in the second half, thanks to an increased ability to move the ball and make inside shots.
Turning away from the regular season, the Dogs are now entrenched in post-season warfare. The do-or-die matches began Tuesday for the girls, as the Lady Dogs played fifth-ranked Hart County at North Oconee High School. The boys played eight-ranked Jackson County at home Wednesday at 7:30.
The rest of Morgan County’s tournament schedule depends on the outcomes of those games; if the girls win, they will play the winner of the East Jackson/North Oconee game Thursday at 7 p.m. at East Jackson High School. If they win that semifinal game, they will play in the final match at East Jackson Saturday at 7 p.m., but, if they lose, they will play in the consolation final at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
After the boys’ match-up against Jackson on Wednesday, they could move on to the 8:30 p.m. semifinal game at East Jackson on Thursday. Pending the result of their semifinal game, they could either go on to the final game at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday or the consolation final at 5:30.
Keep an eye on the Morgan County Citizen’s Facebook and Twitter accounts for the results of the Dogs’ tournament games throughout the week.

Printed in the February 14, 2013 edition