The Morgan State Bears are second in the MEAC standings heading into their conference matchup against Delaware State today at 4 p.m.
They went on a six game in-conference winning streak before falling 80-76 to North Carolina Central.
The Bears had a shaky start at the beginning of the season, starting out 1-8 with a seven game losing streak, until breaking the drought with a 81-73 win against Niagara.
Once the new year hit, the Bears began to turn it around quickly with some huge wins in the MEAC. Their victory against Eastern Shore gave them the number one seed in the conference.
However, following a loss to North Carolina Central, the Bears now sit in second place behind highway rivals Howard.
While several players have fueled the Bears’ turnaround since January, none have brought the unique presence of Alfred Worrell Jr.
Coming off a 24-point performance against the Hawks, he now ranks third in the MEAC in scoring, averaging 16.9 points per game.
Worrell’s background comes from great roots; he grew up in Washington D.C., an area that is huge when it comes to the sport of basketball.
“Growing up in the DMV area, the competition level is really tough,” said Worrell Jr.
He played in high school for Montgomery Blair where he reached 1,000 points in three seasons.
He then transferred to Archbishop Carroll for his senior year before it being cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It kind of prepares you for those big moments, you know,” said Worrell Jr.
Worrell Jr. is no stranger to big moments. He began at the JUCO level at John A. Logan College, transferred to Southern Mississippi, and eventually returned to Maryland to represent Morgan State at the Division I level.
Morgan State head coach Kevin Broadus has had his eye on Worrell Jr. since high school, tracking his journey along the way to him eventually suiting up for the Bears.
“We actually almost took him out of high school. Once he came out of JUCO we looked at him but he chose Southern Mississippi… and it didn’t work out [so] he came here. It all came full circle,” said Broadus.
Worrell Jr. said coming to Morgan State felt like the right fit at the right time.
“Me coming to Morgan State, I feel like God led me here. I just thought it was the right fit. It’s been a blessing so far,” said Worrell Jr.
The Bears will be back at home against Delaware State today, February 21 at 4 p.m. at the Hill Field House. Another crucial game that will impact the team heading into the MEAC tournament.
Associate Editor Temple Christian contributed to this story.
