The Mount Pleasant Tigers did everything they could to bring down #20 Hallsville on the road Friday night, including taking the game to quadruple overtime. With head coach Joey Chism unable to attend the game for personal reasons, the Tigers fought to the bitter end to try to stand alone atop the district standings, but Hallsville handed out the final dagger to defeat the Tigers for just the second time in the past eight seasons.

Mount Pleasant opened the game with confidence to the tune of a 15-7 first quarter advantage. Hallsville would respond with an 11-0 run to open the second quarter fueled by hot shooting from the outside. The Tigers would fight back with a 10-3 run to regain the lead and set the score at 25-21 heading into the half. That momentum would carry into the third quarter as Mount Pleasant extended the run to 20-5 opening up a 35-23 advantage, but the Bobcats would once again close the gap with a 9-0 run to set the score at 35-32 heading into what most thought would be the final quarter.

Hallsville took a brief lead midway through the fourth quarter before both teams began trading baskets. Freshman Reggie Webster connected on a three pointer that looked to give the Tigers momentum, but Hallsville responded with a three of their own to maintain pace. A Tiger turnover on the next possession gave Hallsville an easy bucket and the lead but Elijah Morris was fouled on a three-point attempt where he went to the line and knocked down 2 out of 3 to knot the score once again. Hallsville would score again to go up 46-44 but Kelcey Morris would get a put back bucket to tie it up at 46 and send the game to overtime.

In the first three overtimes, neither team was able to get any separation as the two teams traded baskets and free throws. In the first overtime, a Will Hills steal and layup by Payton Chism kept the score tied to extend the game. The Tigers were very methodical as Hallsville refused to apply pressure and let Mount Pleasant run down the clock. With the Tigers down three in the second overtime, Webster stepped up once again knocking down a three pointer from the wing to tie the game at 56-56 as it seemed the momentum shifted in Mount Pleasant’s favor. Chism would induce an offensive foul on the other end giving the Tigers a chance at the last shot. Kelcey Morris’ floater at the buzzer was a little long and the game continued. The third overtime saw Webster give the Tigers the lead with another three-point bomb from the corner. Hallsville would score a basket and then take advantage of a Tiger missed free throw to tie the game once again. Chism’s three point shot at the buzzer was off the mark and a fourth overtime period began.

The Tigers won the tip in the fourth overtime but were unable to convert on a corner three. After forcing a turnover on the next Hallsville possession, Mount Pleasant held for the final shot. Chism drove the ball and kicked to an open Kai Price who drove and got fouled on a shot sending him to the line with 4 seconds remaining. Price missed the first but connected on the second to give the Tigers a 61-60 lead. Following a timeout, Hallsville inbounded the ball and pushed the ball down the floor throwing up a running three-pointer at the buzzer that somehow found the bottom of the net, giving the Bobcats the win.

Mount Pleasant was led by Payton Chism’s 17 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 steals. Kelcey Morris was equally as effective with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Reggie Webster came off the bench to knock down some big shots and put up 13 points (3 of 5 from deep) and 6 rebounds. Other scorers were Kyler Smith 7 points, Elijah Morris 4 points, Will Hills 3 points, and Kai Price 1 point.

The loss drops the Tigers to 16-8 on the season and 4-2 in district play. Mount Pleasant will host Longview on Tuesday. The Tigers defeated Longview 54-52 in their first district matchup before the Christmas break. Game time is set with the freshmen tipping things off at 5:00 PM, JV at 6:15 PM, and Varsity at 7:30 PM.

It will also be Military Night as all active and retired military personnel can gain free entry with a valid military ID. MOM (Ministering Our Military) will be onsite accepting donations for care packages for active-duty troops. Items for donation can include individually packaged drink mixes, beef jerky, sunflower seeds, energy bars, or baby wipes.

Photo by John Whitten
Write up by Drew Barkley