Morningside Rallies but Falls Short Against Ocean View

Morningside High fought back from a nine-point second-half deficit against Ocean View in Thursday night’s quarterfinal game of the Ocean View Tournament of Champions but could not complete the comeback, losing to the Seahawks, 59-56.

It was Morningside’s first loss of the season, making its record 5-1. Ocean View (6-0), ranked No. 9 in the CIF Southern Section 5-A Division, advanced to the semifinals to face Mater Dei.

Morningside tied the score at 56 for the first time since the second quarter on two free throws by junior Arthur Savage with 1:02 left in the game. The Monarchs had outscored Ocean View, 27-20, in the second half at that point.

But on the Seahawks’ trip down the court after Savage’s free throws, guard Greg Evans, bound for Loyola Marymount next year, drove through the left side of the Morningside defense and scored on a layup with 41 seconds left, making the score 58-56.

Morningside could have tied the score on its next possession, but senior Tyrone Paul threw a pass intended for Savage out of bounds.

“It was one of those miscommunication things,” Morningside Co-Coach Ron Randle said. “It happens early in the season.”

Savage scored a game-high 16 points, pulled down eight rebounds and blocked three shots.

Morningside freshman Stais Boseman just missed a last-second three-point attempt that would have tied the score. Boseman scored 12 points, second highest for Morningside.

“I’m pleased with the effort we had,” Randle said. “The defense did a good job in the absence of Jeff Crowe, including Michael Pearson and Preston Scott. We’re proud of the way we played.”

Senior center Crowe missed the first half to attend a night class.