Morris Area clips Staples-Motley; meets NLS in 6AA championship

MORRIS -- Morris Area didn't have to worry about 14 three-pointers from Staples-Motley in the Section 6AA-South boys basketball final Tuesday.

That's because the Tigers (23-4) forced the Cardinals into 20 turnovers and outrebounded them en route to a 79-64 win. Morris will face New London-Spicer at 8:15 p.m. Friday at St. Cloud for the Section 6AA title.

The Tigers jumped out to a 6-0 lead to start the game and held a 32-24 halftime lead.

The second-half pressure Morris forced on Staples-Motley was one of the keys. The Tigers converted those turnovers into points and built up a 24-point advantage with about five minutes left in the game.

The Tigers also outrebounded the Cardinals 40-24, and shot 56 percent (33 of 59) from the field. Morris held the Cardinals to 38 percent (23 of 61) from the field.

Jackson Henrich led the way for Morris with 21 points and six rebounds. Lincoln Arnold followed with 20 points and Cory Hennen had 10. Chris Scott grabbed five boards.

Jordan Riewer sank eight 3-pointers and scored a game-high 30 points for Staples-Motley (20-9).

Morris 79, Staples-Motley 64

Staples-Motley (20-9) 24 40 -- 64

Morris Area (23-4) 32 47 -- 79

STAPLES-MOTLEY - 23-61 FG (14-31 3-pt); 4-10 FT; 24 rebounds; 19 fouls ... Scoring: Mike Lindaman 3, Jason Johnson 2, Jordan Peterson 11, Derek Wolhowe 8, Jordan Riewer 30, Jon Bristow 10 ... 3-point shots: Riewer 8, Wolhowe 2, Peterson 3, Lindaman 1 ... Rebound, assist, steal leaders not available

MORRIS AREA - 33-59 FG (2-3 3-pt); 11-19 FT; 40 rebounds; 14 fouls ... Scoring: Cory Hennen 10, Taylor Nohl 9, Tyler Meichsner 7, Corey Nohl 3, Eric Riley 4, Lincoln Arnold 20, Chris Scott 5, Jackson Henrich 21 ... 3-point shots: Meichsner 2 ... Rebound leaders: Scott 9, Henrich 6 ... Assist leaders: Hennen 5, Meichsner 5, C. Nohl 4 ... Steal leaders: T. Nohl 2, Meichsner 2, C. Nohl 2, Arnold 2, Scott 2