In a rather shocking development that has not been widely reported, Morningside boys basketball coach Dee Meekins will be replaced this season by his father Danny Morgan on the sidelines.
Meekins told Inglewood Today this week that he is taking an extended leave of absence for personal reasons, but is fully confident that his father can keep the Monarchs moving in the right direction.
Morningside will return five players from last season 2nd place Ocean League squad including starting point guard and captain Ahmad Pernell, 6’8 wing Donavin Reddick, 5’11 guard Kyle Gross, 6’3 guard Mykol Jones and senior guard Ronnell Stevens, all seniors.
Last season Morningside continued their dominance over rival Inglewood, stretching the streak to four, and advanced to the second round of the CIF-Southern Section 3A playoffs where they lost to Shalhevet.
Morgan is no stranger to Morningside or coaching basketball, having served as his son top assistant for 15 seasons at Morningside and Price, including a 2016 CIF title at Price and 2009 as CIF finalist at Morningside.
The Monarchs top goal is to compete for an Ocean League title with Beverly Hills which returns all players from an undefeated league team and make another good run in the postseason.
Morningside opened the season with a 70-50 defeat to Pilibos.
All of which is possible with a familiar voice on the sideline.
