Mt. Vernon boys basketball beats Hollister, looks to Stockon tourney

Lady Mt’neers split two games last week, more action ahead with Marionville Lady Comet Classic
 
The Mt. Vernon High School boys’ basketball team only had one game last week and they were able to defeat Hollister at home on Monday, Jan. 13, 67-51.
The Mt’neers led 13-10 after the first quarter but then an 18 point second quarter by the Tigers allowed Hollister to lead 28-24 at the half. In the third quarter, Mt. Vernon doubled up the Tigers 18-9 to take a 42-27 lead into the final quarter of play. The Mt’neers exploded for 25 points in the final quarter to win the game by 16 points.
Hunter Conway led the way with 24 points, Griffin Cordray added 17 points, and Ty Eidemiller ended the game with 11 points.
“We started the game off sloppy by turning the ball over nine times in the first quarter,” said head coach Ryan Worley. “But when we didn’t give the ball back to Hollister, we got some nice looks from three and at the rim that just didn’t fall.  Coming out of half-time we felt like if we could just continue to get the looks we were getting, while taking care of the ball we could make a run at them. We were able to do just that by only turning the ball over six times total in the second half while shooting 7/11 from three pointers.  Those two factors combined with the guys stepping up their defensive pressure and forcing 14 turnovers, allowed us to outscore Hollister 43-23 in the 2nd half. We want to give our guys all of the credit because they never show a defeated mindset and continue to trust the half-time adjustments.”
Mt. Vernon is now 6-8 on the season and were scheduled to play this week in the Stockton Tournament.

Girls basketball
On Thursday, Jan. 15, the Lady Mt’neers traveled to Springfield to play Catholic High School but lost to the Lady Irish, 50-38.
Mt. Vernon held a 9-8 lead after the first quarter but Catholic came out hot in the second quarter, connecting for 19 points while the Lady Mt’neers picked up nine points to take a 27-17 halftime lead. The third quarter was closer with Mt. Vernon being outscored 14-12. In the fourth, the Lady Irish once again broke away, scoring 19 points to win the game by 12 points.
“It was a tough loss, and it came down to us not taking care of the basketball,” said head coach Alexis Cauthon “Turnovers really hurt us tonight. We can’t let this result cause a backslide for all the progress we have made. There’s still a lot of season left, and we have to use this loss as an opportunity to grow and get better.”
The Lady Mt’neers traveled to El Dorado Springs on Monday night and came home with a 19-point win over the Lady Bulldogs.
Mt. Vernon played a smothering defense in the first quarter, allowing just three points while scoring 15 of their own. In the second quarter the roles were reversed, as El Dorado Springs found their shooting touch and outscored the Lady Mt’neers 14-9 to cut the deficit to 24-17 at the half. In the third quarter, Mt. Vernon once again played great defense, allowing juts six points and increased their lead to 36-23. It was a low scoring fourth quarter for both teams, as the Lady Mt’neers outscored the Lady Bulldogs 9-5 to close out the win.
Elli Eddington and Emmie Schubert paced Mt. Vernon with 14 points each and Mary Fields added 10 points in the win.
“It was another good win in this late pickup game, and we’re starting to show the potential I’ve always known we had,” said Cauthon. “We’re taking better shots, playing hard-nosed defense, and doing a better job of taking care of the basketball. Our goal now is to use these wins as fuel as we continue pushing toward our full potential.”
Mt. Vernon is 4-9 on the season and will spend this week playing in the Lady Comet Classic in Marionville.