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Bullis boys’ basketball is back in the IAC title hunt after a rocky start Bullis boys’ basketball is back in the IAC title hunt after a rocky start
(about 3 hours later)
More than 200 miles from home and less than 24 hours removed from a second-half letdown in an Interstate Athletic Conference loss to Georgetown Prep last month, Bullis Coach Bruce Kelley wondered aloud how good his players wanted to be.More than 200 miles from home and less than 24 hours removed from a second-half letdown in an Interstate Athletic Conference loss to Georgetown Prep last month, Bullis Coach Bruce Kelley wondered aloud how good his players wanted to be.
It was a fair question for a team with three returning starters, aspirations for a fifth straight IAC final appearance and on the verge of its eighth loss in its first 17 games.It was a fair question for a team with three returning starters, aspirations for a fifth straight IAC final appearance and on the verge of its eighth loss in its first 17 games.
That’s why Bulldogs players like Chyree Walker, Mickey Bell and Vado Morse did not take Kelley’s words personally in that locker room in New York as they prepared for the second half of a Jan. 16 game against Iona Prep (N.Y.). Instead, they’ve embraced it, taking the reins of their season’s fate to jumpstart a turnaround that’s seen the Bulldogs (15-8) reel off wins in six of their last seven games.That’s why Bulldogs players like Chyree Walker, Mickey Bell and Vado Morse did not take Kelley’s words personally in that locker room in New York as they prepared for the second half of a Jan. 16 game against Iona Prep (N.Y.). Instead, they’ve embraced it, taking the reins of their season’s fate to jumpstart a turnaround that’s seen the Bulldogs (15-8) reel off wins in six of their last seven games.
“The most important thing is playing as a team and being a team that holds each other accountable and pushes each other,” Morse said. “We’re going to have our ups and downs but we’ve learned to stay together.”“The most important thing is playing as a team and being a team that holds each other accountable and pushes each other,” Morse said. “We’re going to have our ups and downs but we’ve learned to stay together.”
Morse has helped lead those efforts in a sophomore campaign that’s tested his maturity. This season was supposed to be the final step in his transition from a shooting guard to a point guard. But when Alex Leder went down for the season with a bone bruise, Morse was thrust into the starting role in that Jan. 16 contest.Morse has helped lead those efforts in a sophomore campaign that’s tested his maturity. This season was supposed to be the final step in his transition from a shooting guard to a point guard. But when Alex Leder went down for the season with a bone bruise, Morse was thrust into the starting role in that Jan. 16 contest.
After scoring 13 points in the Bulldogs’ comeback win, Morse soon found the proper balance as a scoring point guard, picking his spots while igniting his teammates as a facilitator.After scoring 13 points in the Bulldogs’ comeback win, Morse soon found the proper balance as a scoring point guard, picking his spots while igniting his teammates as a facilitator.
“Vado’s always been a scorer. Always. And like any sophomore point guard on varsity, he went through his struggles,” Kelley said. “But Alex’s misfortune has been Vado’s fortune because now, he doesn’t have to look over his shoulders. He’s getting heavy minutes and learning how to make the most of them.”“Vado’s always been a scorer. Always. And like any sophomore point guard on varsity, he went through his struggles,” Kelley said. “But Alex’s misfortune has been Vado’s fortune because now, he doesn’t have to look over his shoulders. He’s getting heavy minutes and learning how to make the most of them.”
In Friday’s win against Landon, Morse sought out his teammates, which led to 17 points each from Bell and Walker and 16 from Noah Gear. The next night against then-No. 12 Episcopal, Morse unleashed his other side, shaking off a scoreless first quarter to pour in 26 points during a critical conference win.In Friday’s win against Landon, Morse sought out his teammates, which led to 17 points each from Bell and Walker and 16 from Noah Gear. The next night against then-No. 12 Episcopal, Morse unleashed his other side, shaking off a scoreless first quarter to pour in 26 points during a critical conference win.
With the Bulldogs closing the regular season this week and games on tap with first- and third-place teams in the IAC standings — Episcopal and St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes — Morse and the Bulldogs are confident that they have positioned themselves to show just how good they can be come tournament time.With the Bulldogs closing the regular season this week and games on tap with first- and third-place teams in the IAC standings — Episcopal and St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes — Morse and the Bulldogs are confident that they have positioned themselves to show just how good they can be come tournament time.
“I realize what I have to do now as a point guard in energizing the team and taking the lead in getting us to play together, because we have a lot of talented players,” Morse said. “It took some time at first, but we believe we are figuring it out at the right time.”“I realize what I have to do now as a point guard in energizing the team and taking the lead in getting us to play together, because we have a lot of talented players,” Morse said. “It took some time at first, but we believe we are figuring it out at the right time.”
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