In the 2021 Porter County Conference Tournament opening round, 1A No. 10 Morgan Township and Washington Township. Both teams have played well this season.

 

Morgan Township had a quick start thanks to senior guard Ethan Lesko. He scored five points on Morgan’s first two possessions of the game. Then, it was Tate Ivanyo’s turn. He scored on Morgan’s next two possessions to give the Cherokees a 9-3 advantage.

 

Washington Township’s high-powered offense was stalling early, but Tyler Hachey rescued the Senators. Entering the game, WT was averaging 71.3 points per game. Hachey scored Washington’s first eight points of the game to keep the game within striking distance. He went three of four from deep.

 

Behind Morgan turnovers, Washington started to look like itself in the second quarter. Allen Naji converted a couple of shots in the paint. Washington’s leading scorer, James Hernandez, was averaging 19.4 points entering the game but was held to two late first-half free throws.

 

Ivanyo scored a buzzer-beating basket to end the half for Morgan Township. With that basket, the Cherokees led 23-21 at the break.

 

Morgan freshman Keagan Holder started the second half well for the Cherokees. He scored two of MT’s first three second-half baskets. He had a strong second half to finish with seven points in the game.

 

Washington’s first lead of the game came at the 2:10 mark of the third quarter as Hachey splashed a corner three to make it 32-31. After the quiet first half, James Hernandez started to live at the free-throw line for the Senators. He scored nine points in the third quarter thanks to five made free throws.

 

With the score tied at 35 going to the fourth, it was more Hernandez driving and heading to the line for Washington Township. He scored off the dribble three times before converting five free throws to give the Senators the lead down the stretch.

 

Needing to make up points, Morgan could not force timely turnovers or hit outside shots. The Cherokees went 0-6 from three-point range in the fourth quarter. Washington went 9-14 from the charity stripe to salt the game away.

 

Washington Township advanced with the 54-49 victory.

 

Hernandez scored 20 second-half points to finish with 22. He also had nine rebounds. Hachey made four threes to score 21 points. He grabbed six rebounds as well. Naji ended with six points, and Steven Hernandez added five points, four rebounds, and two assists.

 

Ivanyo led Morgan Township with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Lesko contributed 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Holder added seven points.