Morgan County High School’s boys basketball team took care of business in the first round of the GHSA Class 2A state playoffs.
The Dogs hosted Coahulla Creek on Feb. 25, cruising to a 76-39 victory to advance to the Sweet 16.
Morgan County will enter the second round as the higher seed and host Tattnall County on Feb. 28 at 5 p.m.
Head coach Cody Anderson credited the team’s depth for the dominant performance, noting that 10 players scored in the win.
“It’s a five-game tournament, and you can’t go 5-0 unless you go 1-0,” Anderson said. “We’ve talked a lot about just trying to go 1-0, and coming into this game, we knew our pressure and athleticism would hopefully be the deciding factor.”
The Bulldogs made their intentions clear early, scoring 25 points in the first quarter. Morgan County added 16 more points in the second, holding Coahulla Creek to 23 total points at halftime.
Sophomore wing Garrett Ward led the Dogs with 14 points, shooting 5-for-7 from the field. Senior point guard Zeki Locus and freshman guard Trey Carter added 12 points apiece. Locus finished 6-for-11 shooting, while Carter went 5-for-8.
Anderson also highlighted the defensive impact of sophomore point guard Draylon Brown, saying he “really uplifted” the team.
“With a game like this, it’s really hard to single out one or two guys because I really felt like it was a team victory,” Anderson said.
Anderson credited the home crowd for helping fuel the rout and hopes to see the same level of support in the next round.
“I was really happy and appreciative of the community for making this place a tough environment,” Anderson said. “As we hopefully continue this push through the playoffs, we’re going to need everybody — all those in uniform and all those in red and black.”
The Bulldogs enter their matchup with Tattnall County holding a 22-6 overall record and riding a 15-game winning streak.
Looking ahead, Anderson said maintaining the team’s routine and chemistry will be key.
“At this time of year, so much of it is about which team is more fresh and wants to be there more,” Anderson said. “We’ve been preparing for this. These seniors have been doing so for four years. We’re going to try to keep our routine the same and fight to earn the right to play one more time.”