In front of an energetic home-opener crowd, the Beggs Demons delivered a dominant 82-56 win over the county-rival Morris Eagles on Tuesday night, showcasing depth, tempo and a blistering third-quarter run that broke the game open.
Beggs, now 3-2, entered the night determined to set the tone for its 2025-26 home schedule, and the Demons wasted little time doing so. Though Morris controlled the paint early behind big men Braden Sparks and Steven Bender, Beggs countered with perimeter shooting and pressure defense that steadily tilted momentum in the home team’s favor.
The Demons led 19-14 after the first quarter, then extended the margin to 36-29 at halftime thanks to timely threes and transition baskets. But the Eagles, despite coming in at 0-3, remained competitive behind Sparks’ scoring presence inside and Bender’s mid-range touches. A majority of Morris’ points came from the paint and free-throw line, allowing them to hang close through the first sixteen minutes.
That changed the moment the third quarter began.
Over the first four minutes of the second half, Beggs unleashed its most explosive stretch of basketball this season. Senior guard Jordan Wesley ignited the run, burying three deep three-pointers – two of them from 23 feet – to energize the crowd and force Morris into repeated defensive scrambles. Moments later, Rickey Smith added a three of his own before throwing down a fast-break dunk that sent the home bench into a frenzy.
Beggs’ pressure defense fed the offensive outburst, forcing 10 Morris turnovers during the early minutes of the quarter. The Eagles struggled to advance the ball cleanly, and each mistake opened the door for more Demon scoring.
Senior Bobby Baker delivered one of his most complete quarters of the season, stacking four assists, three steals, a charge taken, and a basket in the third alone. Meanwhile, Baker Copeland added a three-pointer, a transition layup, and four assists, helping keep the pace at full throttle.
By the time the dust settled, Beggs had erupted for 26 third-quarter points and pushed the lead to as many as 20. From there, Morris never regained traction.
The Demons stayed hot in the fourth, adding another 20 points while the bench continued to contribute. In total, 14 different Beggs players scored, a testament to the depth Head Coach Koby Love and assistant coach Brevon Harper have been steadily building. Seventeen players saw the floor, and the scoring distribution reflected a roster growing more confident and capable with each outing.
Wesley led Beggs with 17 points, while Smith added 13, Copeland 11 and Baker 10. Smith and Copeland fueled the second-half surge, and Wesley’s long-range shooting provided the knockout blows. Beyond the scoring, Beggs’ combination of defensive pressure and perimeter accuracy proved overwhelming, as six Demons combined for 12 made three-pointers on the night. The team also forced 21 Morris turnovers, setting up a steady stream of transition opportunities.
For Morris, Sparks delivered a gamehigh 23 points by carving up the interior and converting at the line. Bender added 15 and served as the Eagles’ most reliable secondary option on a night where perimeter scoring was hard to come by.
After the game, Coach Love praised his team’s continued growth and the energy they brought to the home opener.
“I felt really good about the game. I think the boys are doing a good job of improving our areas of emphasis every single game,” Love said. “They play with a ton of energy, and I can’t wait to see what this season holds for them.”
With county pride on the line and a full gym behind them, the Demons delivered exactly the kind of statement performance their fans hoped for – fast, confident, and convincing.
Beggs will be back in action on Friday, Dec. 12, traveling to face Okmulgee. Morris turns its attention to tournament play, opening the Summit Christian Tournament on Thursday, Dec. 11.
