Madison Gets Past Morse Again, Closes on First in League

Brad Eaddy, Madison High School’s center, spoke of the importance of heart moments after he helped leave Morse High’s lying in pieces on the Madison court.

“We had to knock Morse off to have a chance to get back in league,” said Eaddy, who is 6-feet-4. “You’ve just got to dig deep inside in a game like this. Morse has guys that are 6-feet-7, 6-8 and 6-9. You can have all the skill you want but what it comes down to in a game like this is heart--are you going to get in and mix it up or just stand by and watch.”

There was little doubt which way Eaddy went after he scored 16 points and more importantly grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds to lead Madison to a 69-64 Eastern League boys’ basketball victory over Morse.

The loss was only Morse’s second in league this season, and both have come to Madison. The Warhawks also swept the Tigers last season.

The victory moved Madison (13-10, 5-3) within a game of first-place Morse (10-10, 6-2).

“I only have to say one word--Morse,” said Jim Thompson, Madison coach. “They get fired up for Morse every time. I don’t have to do a thing.”

Morse tied the game at 17-17 to start the second quarter, but Madison rallied to scored nine consecutive points at the start of a 12-2 run. Robby Robinson, who started the week as the county’s leading scorer at 27.4 points per game, scored 16 in the first half as Madison took a 37-28 lead at the half.

But Eaddy did not want his teammates to take the lead for granted at halftime. A senior who started at quarterback for Madison, he has played against Morse enough to know better.

“I told the guys in the locker room they (Morse) would surge back,” Eaddy said. “That’s the way Morse is, they never give up.”

True to Eaddy’s word, the Tigers rallied to tie the game at 41-41 behind the play of Anthony Miller, who led Morse with 15 points.

Miller, who had been on the bench with three fouls, reentered the game with 7:06 left in the third quarter and Morse trailing, 39-28. He scored six consecutive points and eight of Morse’s next 10, had three rebounds and two steals. By the time Miller took a breath, the Tigers trailed, 41-39. A 20-foot shot by David Dunn tied the game at 41-41 with 4:08 left.

But would never get the lead despite staying close throughout the remainder of the game. Madison pulled away and led, 57-48, entering the fourth quarter.

With Madison leading, 65-56, with 4:36 remaining, Morse regrouped and tried another run.

This time it was guard Jimmie Rose that sparked the Tigers. He scored six points, and Miller added another basket, and Morse was within a point at 65-64. Free throws by Eaddy and Kirk Banister gave Madison a 67-64 lead with 2:22 left.

Madison gave Morse numerous opportunities to tie the game. The Tigers took seven consecutive shots, including three from three-point range, but missed them all. During the shooting spree, Eaddy pulled down a rebound but slipped and was called for traveling, and J.J. Cole grabbed a rebound and stepped out of bounds to give Morse a few more chances at the basket.

A missed shot was knocked out of bounds by a Morse player, and Madison finally took possession. Banister hit two free throws with 4 seconds remaining to clinch the game for Madison.