2A Prep Boys Basketball: Season of change feels awfully familiar for Mark Morris

Hay in the Barn – Everything was different for MM, except scoring another State trophy

(From left to right): Mark Morris players mark Hendrickson (21), Tate Armstrong (5), Zander Jendro (30), Caron Bogner, and Zane Armstrong (10) celebrate on the court following a 53-51 win over Franklin Pierce in the 2A State Tournament, Friday, March 7, at the Yakima Valley SunDome. The victory clinched another State trophy for the Monarchs in their 39th trip to to the tournament. — Dylan Wilhelm / Special to Blast Zone Media

Jordan Nailon / blastzonenews@gmail.com

YAKIMA – It’s hard to put into words just how much has changed over the last 53 weeks for Mark Morris boys basketball. The Monarchs said goodbye to a Hall of Fame coach and their all-time leading scorer. The high school renamed its gymnasium in honor of said Hall of Famer and, of course, hired a new guy to fill those Italian leather shoes.

The Monarchs dress differently for game days now, too, and ankle braces appear to be (gasp!) optional. And it took a few weeks for even the most die-hard fans to become comfortable reciting most of the names listed on the 2024-25 roster.

But more than more than three months after getting their startling season of transition underway the Monarchs wound up right back where they belong – at the State Tournament collecting hardware.

The Mark Morris Monarchs pose with the 6th place trophy at the 2A State Tournament, Saturday, March 8, at the Yakima Valley SunDome. It was the 19th time the Monarchs have earned State hardware. — Jordan Nailon / Blast Zone Media

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