Morrilton Shows Its Depth & Grit in Sweep Over White Hall

Morrilton vs. White Hall brought energy from start to finish across both games, and the Devil Dogs walked away with a clean sweep, but not without earning it.

9th Grade Game

I don’t usually stat anything outside of varsity, but when it’s my kids’ school, I’m going to show love when it’s deserved, and tonight, it was deserved.

Morrilton trailed most of the game until a late push flipped the momentum. Eighth grader playing up, Ta’Lon Williams, absolutely exploded in the third quarter, dropping 12 of his 22 points and finishing with 18 second-half points alone. He went an efficient 7–9 in the paint and 2–4 from three, powering Morrilton’s comeback.

Freshman Jabarie Welch got hot in the second half too, finishing with 19 points, picking up 12 after halftime.

The young guys stepped up in other ways as well, eighth grader Aaron Tolbert did all the little things that win games with 5 rebounds and 4 assists, and freshman Davion Johnson added 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and a block.

White Hall had bright spots too: eighth grader Brayzon Cal put together a strong line of 14 points, 5 boards, 3 assists, and a steal, while seventh grader Marley Linsey, also playing up, dropped 7 points.

Morrilton wins it, 47–41, behind a gritty, mature second half from a very young group.

High School Varsity Game

Coming in, I didn’t know what to expect from White Hall. Three coaches in three seasons, a heartbreaking loss of Coach Matt Williams last year, and now former Hot Springs assistant Trey Lenox leading the program. But let me tell you, he had those Bulldogs more prepared than I anticipated, and in all the best ways.

White Hall struck first when Tristen Dunlap picked a pocket and hammered home a dunk. Dunlap impressed me all night, he’s grown a smooth, confident floater and went 8–10 in the paint. Morrilton tried to answer immediately with a Kielyn Bunting drive, but he was called for the charge.

If you’re wondering what the theme of the game was... fouls. Fouls everywhere. 16 in the first quarter alone, 10 in the second, 13 more in the third, and 8 in the fourth. A total of 47 fouls, and with 3:51 left, there were eight different players sitting on four apiece.

With under a minute left in the first half, tied at 26, Kobe Chambers knocked down a big three off an assist from Bradley Cooper (yes, it’s good having the football boys back). After a push-and-pull final stretch, Morrilton went into halftime up 31–28.

Then came Isaiah Templeton’s takeover.

Templeton erupted in the second half, scoring 22 of his 29 points. He went perfect in the third quarter, 2-2 in the paint, 3-3 from deep, 1-1 at the line, and put White Hall in scramble mode. White Hall’s Jaxson Turner did what he could to keep them in it, hitting a three while getting fouled, but missed the and-one.

Late in the third, Tre Hammons got a bucket plus a foul but went down injured. Chambers stepped in to hit the free throw, then buried a three at the buzzer to put Morrilton up 64–51 heading into the fourth.

White Hall played well, better than many expect, and should absolutely be competitive in the 5A South. But Morrilton controlled the final stretch and took home the win, 84–70.

The Devil Dogs showed depth, toughness, and that they’re already taking shape early in December.

KFletch 🖤