Canton McKinley KOs Harding for third season in a row, 73-53

The Raiders gave the Bulldogs a game for two quarters before bowing.
By ERIC HAMILTON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CANTON -- For the third season in a row, the Warren Harding boys basketball team's season suffered the same fate -- a big season-ending tournament loss to Canton McKinley.
McKinley, the defending Division I state champion, used its depth, scoring prowess and five NCAA Division I college recruits, to again ruin the Raiders' stellar season.
Although Harding made it a game for two quarters Wednesday, the Bulldogs had too much firepower and pulled away for a 73-53 victory in a Division I sectional contest at the Canton Memorial Civic Center.
"That's a great basketball team over there," Harding coach Steve Arnold. "I'm proud of our kids because they didn't quit.
"We fought hard, but they are a physically strong and extremely talented team." Arnold said. "I don't think they can be beaten.
"We slowed the temp down in the first half and competed, but in the second half their defensive pressure was relentless and they just turned it up a notch or two. We just couldn't duplicate their intensity."
Morgan sets pace
Raymar Morgan, a Michigan State recruit, was unstoppable in the first half, scoring 20 points as McKinley built a 32-17 advantage with an 11-0 run.
The senior finished with a game-high 32 points.
But in the second quarter, with Morgan on the bench with two fouls, Harding rallied.
The Raiders climbed within 10 points (36-26) at intermission, thanks to the play of Roddy Fuller and Bryan Wright, who combined for 14 first-half points.
But the Bulldogs left no doubt who the superior squad was, outscoring Harding 16-10 in the third quarter to pad their lead to 52-36, putting the game out of reach before the final quarter even began. McKinley led as many as 18 in the third stanza.
In got worse in the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs scored the period's first eight points, all on slam dunks. Morgan had two of the four slams, putting McKinley ahead 64-36.
Had game under control
McKinley, ranked No. 11 in the country by USA Today, removed its starters with 2:44 remaining with an insurmountable 69-44 lead.
"You saw why Raymar is going to Michigan State," Arnold said. "We tried to attack him in the third quarter to get him his third foul, but he's a smart and talented player and they just fed off him.
"They've eliminated us three years in a row and it is frustrating. We've had some pretty good seasons, but then we come down here and face one of the best teams in Canton history," Arnold said. I bid farewell to their seniors and hope we get another chance next year."
Wright (17 points) and Fuller (12) led Harding offensively in their final high school game. Harding finishes the year at 15-7.
McKinley (19-2) advances to a district semifinal game on Wednesday against the winner of Friday's contest between Fitch and Canton GlenOak.