photo by: Kim North

Wheeling Park’s Josh Huffman (3) drives to the basket for two points Friday night against Morgantown in the nightcap of the Sam Andy Classic inside WesBanco Arena.

WHEELING – The final score indicates that Morgantown rolled past Wheeling Park Friday night in boys’ high school basketball action, but that wasn’t the case entirely.

The Mohigans used a pair of double-digit runs to turn away the upset-minded Patriots, 85-60, in the nightcap of the Sam Andy tripleheader inside WesBanco Arena in a mutual season opener.

Wheeling Park led 14-7 with 2:12 remaining in the first quarter, but by the time it scored again Morgantown had run off 21 consecutive markers for a 28-17 margin it would not relinquish.

“We were stuck on 14 for quite some time. We couldn’t stop it (Morgantown’s run),” Wheeling Park head coach Michael Jebbia said. “They are a good team with a pressing style that caused us some problems there in the second quarter. The luxury of playing 10-11-12 guys really helps them. You don’t see that much in high school.”

Morgantown’s bench combined for 31 points.

“That’s incredible. That is what a college team does,” Jebbia added.

Then, after J.D. Williams knocked down his fifth triple of the game with 6:40 left to play, the Patriots were within 12, 64-52, but another surge by the Mohigans put the game away with a 12-0 burst.

“I’m so proud of my guys in the second half. Last year we were really outmatched by them,” Jebbia recalled. “This year we were able to compete and score the basketball. I told the kids if we play that hard in our next 21 games, we’re going to be alright.”

Morgantown had three players in twin figures, led by Max Frey with 19. Waylon Colista added 16 and Collin Ridgeway finished with 15.

“First of all, I appreciate Michael for inviting us. I really loved Sam Andy and I used to come here and watch Michael play when the place was packed,” Morgantown head coach Dave Tallman Jr. said. “Being from the Ohio Valley, this is a special moment for me to coach in this event.

“I thought Wheeling Park’s kids played extremely hard. We both looked like it was the first game of the season. We’ve both got a lot of work ahead of us.”

Williams paced the Patriots with 21, of which 18 came in the second half. Jordan Beck-James added 12 and Josh Huffman had nine.

Morgantown held a 27-18 advantage off the glass and committed eight less turnovers at 19-11.

The Mohigans will play at Linsly on Saturday afternoon at 1. Wheeling Park, meanwhile, opens at home Tuesday night when Weir visits.