Morgan County Stars Shine Brighter!
By Terry Futrell – October 24, 2018
Basketball fans often think back with fond memories of high school stars of the past. This evening those memories became reality once again for a number of Morgan County fans who attended the junior varsity game between Alice Lloyd College and Bryan College held in the Fort Loudon Middle School gymnasium. Former Wartburg stars Thomas Carroll and Kirk Harlan were key factors in Alice Lloyd’s decisive 110-86 victory over Bryan. In fact, Thomas and Kirk collectively scored as many points in the first half as the entire Bryan team!
Looking over the teams in warmup, one had to be impressed by the size of the Bryan team in comparison to the Alice Lloyd players. But fans soon discovered that “big” entails much more than physical size. The Alice Lloyd players hit the floor with intensity, disciplined play, jumping ability, and shooting skills that left the Bryan players reeling. Alice Lloyd jumped out to an early 18-2 lead and never looked back, thanks in no small way to the high flying, aggressive attacks on the basket by Thomas and the net-swishing 3-point shooting of Kirk.
At the end of the first half, Alice Lloyd led Bryan 59-32. Thomas scored 17 points in the first half, including six driving shots to the basket and one 3-pointer. Kirk did nothing more than sink five 3-point shots in the first half for 15 points. Both contributed to the sticky Alice Lloyd man-to-man defense that kept Bryan at bay.
The second half was similar. While Alice Lloyd’s lead would shrink and grow, especially as Coach Kevon Honeycutt rested his starters, there was never any doubt in the outcome. Thomas Carroll poured in 13 more points in the second half, even though he fouled out with about seven minutes remaining, for a game high total of 30 points. Kirk Harlan added two more 3-pointers to his stats – a total of seven and 21 points for the game.
Coach Honeycutt was very complimentary of his two Morgan County players and believes both will be moved up to the varsity before the season is over. He remarked that Thomas and Kirk were the only two players on his team who came to campus already knowing how to properly play man-to-man defense – he had to teach it to the rest of the team. Those of us who have witnessed Wartburg Central High School’s Joe Layne coached teams should not be surprised by this.
It was a great evening for the Morgan County fans who attended. Our two stars are definitely playing their best basketball ever and are truly shining brighter!
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