The Mount Pleasant Tiger basketball team has been selected #14 in class 5A in the latest preseason poll released this week.

The Tigers enter their eighth season under head coach Joey Chism as the program has continually made a name for itself, finishing in the top ten in the state the past two seasons. The rankings were chosen by coaches across the state of Texas and show which programs have obtained the success and notoriety to garner a selection.

Mount Pleasant posted one of their best seasons in 2020-2021, recording a 27-1 overall record and 12-0 district record enroute to their second consecutive district championship. The Tigers made another deep run in the playoffs, making it to the regional semifinals before falling to then #1 Lancaster by two points.

Head Coach Joey Chism has amassed an impressive 167-62 overall record in his eight seasons at the helm, including a 60-5 record over the last two seasons. Chism has earned the District Coach of the Year award the past two years along with being nominated for the TABC Don Coleman Outstanding Coach Award. “I’m really looking forward to this year, ” stated Chism. “After graduating seven seniors, I feel like we have a young team but a solid core of four guys that have a lot of experience.” Chism continued, “After reaching the regional tournament three out of the past four years, as a coaching staff and program we are looking for ways to improve. We have tough kids that continue to make sacrifices for their teammates and take on roles for the benefit of our program. I believe in the kids in our program.”

Mount Pleasant will return three of their starting five, including All-Region junior guard Payton Chism, District Defensive MVP senior forward Will Hills, and 1st Team All-District junior guard Kelcey Morris. Chism, the district MVP, ranked second on the team in scoring at 13 points per game, and also led the team in assists and steals at 4.0 and 3.1 respectively.

Hills was the catalyst for the Tiger defense posting 6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game to go along with 1.5 blocks per contest. He also found his three point stroke late in the season pouring in 60% of his attempts from long range in the team’s last five games.

In the backcourt, Morris provides a solid 1-2 punch that will be tough for district opponents to match. Kelcey put up solid numbers last season with 4.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.4 steals per game.

Senior guard Edward Wilder, a defensive specialist, will provide depth off the bench along with seniors Johnny Smith, Ervin Mickens, and Elijah Morris. The versatility of Morris and Kyler Smith will prove crucial for the Tigers.

Newcomer sophomore Kai Price and freshman Reggie Webster will get some minutes on the wings. Price received limited action at the varsity level last season but will look to use that experience to take his game to the next level. Webster is a talented player with a wide range of skills that will help the Tigers on the scoreboard and defensive end.

Mount Pleasant will open the 2021-2022 season on Nov 19 with their home opener against John Tyler at Willie Williams Gym.

By Drew Barkley
Photo by John Whitten

Photo – Junior guard Kelcey Morris drives to the basket in last year’s bi-district playoff game.