By Jim Workman
Register-Herald Sports Writer
CHARLESTON —
When all five players are contributing offensively, it makes for a tough matchup problem.
Wyoming East proved that Wednesday night.
Starters Chase Morgan, Alex Webb, Evan Muscari, Marcus Schofield and Andrew Bishop all scored in double figures as No. 1 Wyoming East downed No. 8 seed Frankfort 77-55 in a Class AA quarterfinal at the Civic Center.
The Warriors (21-2) will face Tug Valley, who defeated Magnolia Wednesday, at 1 p.m. Friday in a semifinal contest.
“We always have at least three or four players in double figures,” Wyoming East first-year coach Rory Chapman said. “When we get everyone involved, we’re a much better team. When you have five guys that can score, it’s hard for your opponent to guard you.”
Wyoming East led 22-15 after one period, but the Warriors ramped it up on the defensive end in the second quarter, limiting the Falcons’ chances while posting runs of 10-2 and 9-3 to pull away.
The Warriors led 40-22 at halftime.
“I thought we were a little shaky early,” Chapman admitted. “We missed some easy shots and we gave them some layups. But we got our legs going and started knocking down some shots. And when we start making that extra pass, we can score in a hurry.”
Morgan led Wyoming East with 17 points. Webb tallied 13 while Muscari, Schofield and Bishop each netted 10.
All played just 24 minutes, except Schofield who clocked in for just 15.
“We were able to save our legs in the fourth quarter,” Chapman said.
Taylor Smith contributed eight points — all in the fourth quarter, in just eight minutes of reserve time.
Logan Wolford paced Frankfort (13-11) with 27 points. No other Falcon scored in double figures.
“I saw about four games of Wyoming East on film,” Frankfort coach Scott Slider said. “To be honest, I wasn’t wowed. But today, I was wowed. They are definitely the No. 1 team in the state.”
The Warriors shot 47.8 percent from the field and outrebounded Frankfort 40-31.
Webb and Schofield had eight rebounds apiece. Webb added three steals and Morgan had five assists.
Getting the first state tournament game in the books was an important first step, Morgan said.
“The first game, you have to come down here and make a statement,” he said. “This first game sets the tone.”
— E-mail: jworkman@register-herald.com
WYOMING EAST 77, FRANKFORT 55
FRANKFORT (13-11)
Jones 0-3 0-0 0, R.Heltzel 2-8 0-0 5, Wolford 11-19 4-4 27, Martz 2-7 0-0 6, Myers 4-9 0-0 8, Weaver 1-3 0-0 3, Bowers 0-0 1-3 1, Bills 0-2 0-0 0, Twigg 0-0 3-4 3, Cook 1-1 0-0 2, Minnigh 0-0 0-0 0, B.Heltzel 0-1 0-0 0, Grogg 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 21-55 8-11 55.
WYOMING EAST (21-2)
Muscari 4-8 0-0 10, Webb 5-14 2-2 13, Morgan 6-13 4-4 17, Schofield 5-5 0-0 10, Bishop 5-9 0-0 10, Fralin 0-1 1-2 1, Campbell 1-5 0-0 2, Houck 0-1 0-0 0, McKinney 0-1 0-0 0, Whitten 0-0 0-0 0, Bowling 0-1 0-0 0, Foley 3-5 0-0 6, Smith 4-6 0-0 8. Totals 33-69 7-8 77.
F 15 7 8 25 — 55
WE 21 19 21 16 — 77
3-Point Goals—Frankfort 5-16 (Martz 2-7, Wolford 1-2, Weaver 1-3, R.Heltzel 1-4), Wyoming East 4-17 (Muscari 2-6, Morgan 1-2, Webb 1-5, Fralin 0-1, Campbell 0-1, McKinney 0-1, Smith 0-1). Fouled out—none. Rebounds—Frankfort 31 (4 players with 4), Wyoming East 40 (Webb, Schofield 8). Assists—Frankfort 11 (Martz 4), Wyoming East 17 (Morgan 5). Total fouls—Frankfort 12, Wyoming East 11.
