Last Friday night, MHS hosted Berean Christian for an important district game. SORSN was caught up in a scrum at the office and arrived at Boyd Woody Gymnasium half-way through the girls’ game. With 5 minutes remaining in the 3rd period, the Lady Waves had a comfortable 38-18 lead.
Hali Morris and Hayley Roberson torched Berean with 17 & 14 points respectfully. Freshman Jessie “throw her the dang ball” Lewis came out strong after halftime and added a quick 6 points. With a 51-27 lead to start the 4th, Coach Amy C Woody got the opportunity to get a lot of girls into the game. The freshman squad held the reins tight and the night ended with a final of 59-35.
The boys game was much more eventful. Berean was first to get on the scoreboard but the Waves quickly took the lead and built on it with several baskets by Ruffner, Hope & Viar. The Waves controlled the tempo of the game in the first half, and seemed to always keep an 8+ margin. Midway would take a 28-20 lead into the break.
The Waves were never able to build out enough of a lead to put Berean away and that proved to be costly. Berean managed to stay within striking distance in the 3rd quarter and they made their move on a winded Greenwave squad in the 4th, taking the lead halfway into the final quarter. A lead they would not relinquish.
Berean came away with the upset, 58-48. The loss dropped Midway (7-2, 15-8) to the #2 spot in the District behind Tellico Plains (8-3, 16-8). To add salt to the wounds following the loss to Berean, Coalfield defeated the Waves by one on Monday, 49-50. The Lady Waves were also defeated by Coalfield, 44-48.
This night also saw the end of an era. After 45 years of officiating, Gary Pettway hung up the strips and whistle. Mr. Pettway had been a staple at Midway games and other schools in the area for a long time and will be missed. He was always a favorite of mine & my teammates back in the day. Over his extended career, Mr. Pettway received many accolades, including being the only official to ever grace the cover of SORSN.com. Mr. Pettway, from all the SORSN followers and Midway fans, we thank you for many great years of officiating Midway sports.
You can see photos from the game under the SORSN galleries.