San Diego High School Basketball Roundup : Morse Foul Trouble Gives Kearny Edge and 71-59 Win

Morse High School should have known it was in trouble when Kearny went on a 10-0 run, scoring eight at the free-throw line, during a semifinal game of the Baron-Optimist boys’ basketball tournament Tuesday at Bonita Vista High School.

The streak wouldn’t have been unusual except that it started with five minutes left in the third quarter.

Kearny took advantage of foul-prone Morse for a 71-59 victory. Kearny will play Torrey Pines at 7:30 p.m. tonight for the title.

Kearny scored 18 of its 40 second-half points at the line.

Ten of the free throws came in the third quarter. During that time, Morse couldn’t score as the Komets (11-1) rallied from a 36-35 deficit to lead, 45-36, with 1:49 left in the period.

Morse (6-5) had taken its last lead on a 12-foot jumper from Darnell Lewis, rallying from a 31-28 halftime deficit as Kearny committed seven turnovers in the first three minutes of the quarter.

But Kearny never trailed after making 8 of 12 free throws and scoring on a layup by John Williamson during the 10-0 run. The closest Morse could get was 45-40 with 1:10 left in the third quarter.

Forward Randy Robinson had 19 rebounds and scored 19 points. Chris Ortiz scored 20 points and Williamson added 19. Chris Combs led Morse with 19 points despite fouling out with 4:50 left.