Mt. Pleasant, Iowa- The Mt. Pleasant boys’ basketball team enacted revenge in the sweetest way last night against Burlington, as the Panthers take the conference crown for the first time since the 2017-2018 season in a 67-57 victory in front of the home crowd.
The Panthers got out to a quick start thanks to Carter Amos as he put up the first 7 points of the night for Mt. Pleasant as they rushed out a 21-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. Burlington would stay at arms reach for most of the game and at one point had the game to within three points, 53-50. However, Merquiche Lewis Jr.’s and JJ Martin’s combined 40 points would not be enough to bring down the Panthers thanks to clutch trips to the free throw line. The Panther would finish 23 of 28 from the line as they were able to fend off the Grayhound’s attack.
Payton Hagans led the way for the Panthers with 20 points, Amos and Aaiden Ashton each cashed in 13 points, Nate Stroud finished with 11 points, and Owen Vansickle made three three-pointers on the night to end with 10 points in the winning effort, as all five starters finished in double digits.
Head Coach, Eric Rawson, who was overjoyed following the win, had this to say after the game,
“I don’t know if the Mt. Pleasant Panthers are back, but they sure were tonight. What an outstanding performance by our guys… the community support was great and without that sixth man it would have been extremely difficult and it was, but to have that support and backing was great to see.”
Mt. Pleasant is now 16-3 on the season and riding an 11-game win streak into their next game against Ottumwa at home on February 6th at 7:30 pm.