Danville's boys basketball team took second place in the Morgan County Tournament. Team members are, from left, (front) Patrick Doherty, Justin Morgan, Tyler Fields, Kyle Evans, Andres Cordova, (back) Kyle Alexander, Alan Cordova, Tyler Jolley, Slater Robinson, Justin Tomlinson, Jason Haynes and Evan Anderson. | Brent Maze

Could the Morgan County Boys Championship Game be a preview of things to come in Class 3A Northwest Regional at Wallace State Community College? Danville coach Scott Ellis thinks so.

Danville and West Morgan played another hotly-contested game for the Morgan County crown. This time, West Morgan held off the Hawks down the stretch for an 81-78 win.

This was the third meeting between the Hawks (15-11) and Rebels (21-4), two of which have come down to one possession. A fourth meeting could occur less than a month from now if both teams take care of business.

“This was a great basketball game,” Ellis said. “I know they would have liked it to have been a little more lopsided, just like I would have, but these are two great teams playing each other. Hopefully, we’ll get to see them again.”

West Morgan built as big as an 11-point lead in the first half. Brandon Roberts, who finished with 33 for the Rebels, put an exclamation on the first half with a breakaway dunk to give West Morgan a 42-33 lead.

Danville erased a double-digit deficit scoring 27 points in the third quarter. Kyle Alexander tied the game a 60-60 on a 3-pointer. Later in the fourth quarter, Justin Morgan gave Danville its first lead of the game midway through the fourth quarter at 66-65.

Morgan then tied the game again at 70-70 on another 3-pointer. However, Keandre Swopes and Dustin Morgan made back-to-back baskets to give the Rebels an advantage they would never relinquish.

Danville’s game tying 3-pointer at the buzzer was no good, as West Morgan clinched the county title.

“Our team never quit during the game,” Ellis said. “We kept battling and had a chance to win. We just didn’t make the shots and West Morgan did.”

Justin Morgan led the Hawks with 27 before fouling out late. Andres Cordova had 13 while Alan Cordova finished with 11. Justin Tomlinson added eight followed by Patrick Doherty and Tyler Fields, both with six; Kyle Alexander with five; and Slater Robinson with two.

Roberts, the tournament MVP, led all scorers with 33 followed by Dustin Morgan with 19.

Members of the all-tournament team are as follows:

• From Brewer: Coty Benitez and Brandon Elder.

• From West Morgan: Roberts, Dustin Morgan, Grant Workman and Peyton Mullican.

• From Falkville: Aaron Estes and Canaan Smith.

• From Danville: Justin Morgan and Doherty.

• From Priceville: Hayden Prentice and Marc McLendon.

• From Hartselle: Timbo Slaton, Preston Adams and Thomas Fleischman.