David W. Healy
dhealy@ddtonline.com
Greenville High School’s Morgan Green, the Planters Bank Player of the Week, is the type of basketball player that is willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win.
Whether its making the right pass at a key moment or its coming up with a game-deciding steal, Green will do what needs to be done.
But, this season, Green, now a senior, has been asked to be the Hornets’ main scorer, and he is doing this in bunches.
Last Thursday, in the Hornets’ 85-65 victory over Humphreys County, Green scored a career high 41 points. It was the most points any Greenville High player has scored in at least the last five years.
Green then backed up his performance the next day by scoring 30 points in Greenville’s 77-67 road victory over the Cleveland Central Wolves.
Green’s two explosive scoring nights have brought his season average to 24 points a game, but more importantly his play has helped his team win two consecutive games and move their record to 5-6 this season.
“We are really starting to come together, and we are playing a lot more team ball now,” Green said. “I have scored a lot because my teammates have done a great job of getting me the ball when I am open.”
Greenville High coach Delmar Sprouse said Morgan’s recent scoring surge is a testament to his hard work ethic.
Green was struggling somewhat at the free throw line this season, but he has put the work in from the charity stripe over the last few weeks. During his 40-point night over Humphreys County, he made 16 of his 18 attempts from the line.
“I told him to work on his free throws, and he did and he has already seen some positive results,” Coach Sprouse said.
While he said it is fun to score lots of points, Green said he is more concerned about helping his team win. The Hornets can move their record to .500 if they defeat Greenwood on the road Tuesday night.
The recent winning streak by the Hornets’ has been a team effort. Junior Jequann Roberson, for example, scored 24 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in Greenville’s victory over Cleveland Central Friday, while senior Antonio Powell and junior Dekobe Lewis each scored six points.
“I knew that this team had the ability to come together and become a winning team, and right now we are doing a good job,” Green said.
