Prep Boys Basketball Roundup: Scores and Reports from The Blast Zone

On The Run — Stakes, competition increase as league play ramps up

Mark Morris point guard Drew Ibaretta puts up a shot from the corner during a preseason jamboree at Ted M. Natt Court on Nov. 26. On Thursday, Dec. 12, the Monarchs defeated Woodland 71-45 back on their home floor. Mark Morris will be back in action against Kelso on Friday night, with a pregame dedication ceremony set to officially dedicate its home gymnasium in honor of former head coach Bill Bakamus. — Skyler Smith for Blast Zone Media

Jordan Nailon / blastzonenews@gmail.com

Mark Morris defense sparks win over Woodland

In the final boys game on Ted M. Natt Court prior to the honorary dedication of the gymnasium that encapsulates it, the Monarchs put on a performance that would have made their old coach proud with a 71-45 victory over Woodland, Thursday.

After stepping cautiously into the ring and trading blows with the Beavers in the first quarter, Mark Morris decided to get defensive in order to lock down the 2A Greater St. Helens League victory and remain undefeated on the season.

“We had a bit of a slow start, but really turned it on defensively in the second quarter when we outscored them 24-8,” Mark Morris coach Ken Kelly said.

That performance allowed the Monarchs to take a 39-18 lead into the intermission. By the end of the contest three Mark Morris players had reached double digit scoring, including a game-high 22 points from Dalton Stevens, who posted half of that tally in the second quarter alone. Earlier in the day, Stevens was tabbed as a WIAA Athlete of the Week for his efforts on the court in the season’s first chapter. He was also the Blast Zone Media Athlete of the Week following performances that included a 40-point game in the season’s first contest.