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Tiger guards coming together
1/20/2012
By CONOR NICHOLL
cnicholl@dailynews.net
In the first semester, junior Kendrick Morse, a transfer by way of Chicago and Sheridan (Wyo.) College, ran the point for the Fort Hays State University men's basketball team. When the second semester started, the Tigers added another point guard in senior Moses Dayee, a solid 3-point shooter and key reserve on last season's NCAA Tournament squad. Dayee only had one semester of eligibility remaining, and had to sit out the first nine games.
"A lot of people felt like me and him would bump heads," Dayee said.
Instead, the arrangement has worked well for the Tiger men, ranked No. 25 in NCAA Division II at 12-4 overall, 6-4 MIAA.
"He is the smallest player on our team (at 5-8), but he has one of the biggest hearts and I just love playing with him," Dayee said. "Every time he is out there, something good can happen."
"In practice, I think we make each other better," Morse said. "We guard each other every day. We both encourage each other."
The duo has helped Fort Hays stay within one game of first place at the halfway mark of the conference schedule. Four teams -- Northwest Missouri State University, Washburn University, Pittsburg State University and University of Central Missouri -- are tied for first place at 7-3. On Saturday, the Tigers start the second half of MIAA play at home against Lincoln (Mo.) University (3-12, 3-7 MIAA). Game time is 4 p.m. In league play, FHSU is 2-3 at home, 4-1 on the road.
"If we'd be winning at home like we'd expect, we could leading the conference right now," coach Mark Johnson said. "...We have got to find a way to give our home fans something to cheer about."
When Morse and Dayee are on the floor together, Morse will stay at point guard and Dayee will play shooting guard and spot up for 3-pointers.
"When Moses is hitting those 3s, it kind of energizes our team," Johnson said. "I think a lot of times, we kind of go as Kendrick goes. When Kendrick is playing well offensively and defensively, our team kind of follows suit. When he is struggling and not into the game, our team takes that pattern. Obviously, it's everybody, but I think those two guys at times can kind of kick start our team and get us going."
Morse has often found his teammates for baskets and leads the Tigers with 48 assists.
"I think Kendrick is probably the only guy on our team that can really put it on the floor and make plays and get another guy a shot, so it's kind of important that those guys kind of work together," Johnson said. "Moses is a big weapon for us."
As well, Morse averages 10.4 points per game and has often hit big shots late in contests, including a runner in overtime of Fort Hays' road win against Emporia State University on Wednesday.
"He is always telling me in the game for me to get the 1 job (point guard) a lot, so then he can spot up and get the shot off," Morse said. "That's fine with me, as long as I get the assist, I am good with it."
Dayee has played in seven games and averages 11.3 points per contest. Known for his daily shooting regimen outside of normal practice hours, Dayee has connected on 41.7 percent of his 3-point attempts.
"I know he is always looking for me because I tell him, 'Look for me,'" Dayee said with a smile.
Dayee's long range shooting has earned him a nickname with fans and teammates -- "the zone buster, Holy Moses," senior Karron McKenzie said -- and helped FHSU shoot better from beyond the arc. Since Dayee's return, Fort Hays has enjoyed its three best games for 3-point field goal percentage. That included a season-high 10-of-20 (50 percent) performance Wednesday.
"When he is shooting good, we tend to do good," McKenzie, the team's leading scorer at 12.8 points per game, said.
"Plus, I think the verdict on us was that we were kind of bad (shooters) before, because Moses didn't play the first semester. He fills that void greatly."
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |