Clash of the Titans, Round Two

The gloves were off and the stage was set for the second meeting of Dwight Howard, the No. 1 player on the Rivals150 and Randolph Morris, the No. 19 player in the country. And they didn’t disappoint the 5,032 in attendance at Georgia Tech as Landmark Christian gave Howard’s Southwest Atlanta Christian team their first loss of the season 73-71.

Howard, who said he was nervous all week for this game, knew that the game was going to be as intense as it was. What he didn’t expect was the amazing fourth quarter run by Landmark. But with the ESPN2 cameras rolling, the spotlight focused on the men in the middle. They didn’t disappoint.

“It was another one of those Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier battles on the inside,” Howard said. “He gave me a lick, I went back and I hit him. We’ve been going back in forth. This is round two in the Thrilla in Manila-dome.”

A reporter quickly asked who was Frazier and who was Ali. Morris quickly raised his hand and said smiling, “Ali.” Morris was right. He was the heavyweight champion of the world on Friday night.

Morris had a team high 25 points (9-16 FG, 7-13 FT), 15 rebounds (10 offensive) and five blocks on the night. Howard’s scorecard was nearly identical as he went for 25 points (12-20 FG), 11 rebounds and four blocks.

Despite the spotlight and headlines focused on the big men, Morris spoke highly of his team as they knocked off SACA for the first time in three years.

“Well basketball is a team sport and you can’t do it all by yourself,” Morris said. “So you have to put some trust in your teammates that they will bring you up to their level. I think personally that when you put your trust in your teammates its just a fact that you can live or die with them.”

Down 55-40 going into the fourth quarter, Landmark exploded for 33 points in the final eight minutes. The War Eagles went on a 26-10 run in the final seven minutes and gained their first lead of the game with 1:01 to play.

Landmark was able to spread the ball around during their amazing run, getting nine points from Morris, seven from Justin Holland, six from Trey Souder, five from Sterling Brown and four from Tim Perkins. Landmark Christian head coach Bryan Bartley said his team knew that they had to change their philosophy at the half if they wanted to walk away with the win.

“There was a break in the third quarter where we had to decide on whether or not we wanted to live or die. We had to go to the basket and be a little bit more aggressive,” Bartley said. “And then also, I thought we had to at least look for some more shots and attack the basket. We had to make a change and an adjustment. We had to find the right chemistry on the floor to get that.”

Howard, who fouled out with a 1:19 to play, said the energy level switched to the other side and gave Landmark the edge in the second half thanks to the well balanced attack of the War Eagles.

“I think the reason they came back and we went down is because the defensive and offensive intensity dropped,” Howard said. “We came into the game with a lot of intensity but as the game progressed the intensity level moved from us to them because they were hitting big shots and running the floor.”

Always quick to share the spotlight, Morris acknowledged the play of his teammates, particularly Holland and Souder. Throughout the season, the Landmark backcourt has struggled to find the bottom of the net. Friday was different.

“I want to give props to our wings. They stepped up. They made some big shots down the stretch,” Morris said. “That’s what (SACA) did last time we played but tonight our games came through when we needed those big shots.”

Morris played one of his best games of the season, playing solid defense and going right at Howard.

“I’m just trying to make my name off of him. I just try to bust him. I mean, hey, he’s the number one prospect,” Morris said. “We go hard at each other every game. He makes me better and I do the same for him.”

Morris has certainly “made his name” against Howard this season. In their two head-to-head meetings, the 6-foot-11 star has gone for 49 points, 40 rebounds and 13 blocks against the No. 1 player in the country. His coach said the best is still to be seen from Morris.

“Every night Randolph has given us something different. I think the potential inside of Randolph hasn’t really fully come out yet. When he gets to the next level, he’s going to have play a more consistent basis,” Bartley said. “You’ll see more of him come out when he gets there but for now, I don’t think you’ve seen the best of what he can do.”

Nearly every NBA team was represented in some shape or fashion, either by a scout or general manager. Jerry West, Hubie Brown and Pat Riley were some of the marquee names sitting in the media/NBA section. While the attraction for the NBA was primarily focused on Howard, nearly every team in attendance went home with new notes on Morris.

Kentucky head coach Tubby Smith was also in attendance, watching Morris closely. And, of course, Georgia Tech, was represented in full force. Yellow Jacket fans were hoping that Friday night’s game was foreshadowing things to come on the newly christened Cremins Court.

“I think I felt really comfortable (playing at Tech) so there is no problem that I could be playing here at all,” Morris said. “I’m just still weighing my options.”

Howard is confident that the two will see each other once again on the hardwood. And like their two games already, he expects the supporting cast to steal the spotlight.

“I know we are going to play them two more times in the region and the state championship. I just think it is going to boil down to the team not just me and him,” Howard said.

If there is indeed a third meeting between the two big men, RivalsHoops will be there. Stay tuned. To read a recap of their first meeting, click here.

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