The Mount Pleasant Tiger basketball team continued their impressive run this week by taking down Waco University on Thursday to become Area champions and then on Saturday handing Huntsville their first loss of the season to become one of only four teams remaining in 5A Region 2. The regional tournament berth is the third for the Tigers in the last four seasons, a history making run that has seen them post a 105-28 record in that span.

Mount Pleasant 67

Waco University 33

Pressure defense and timely shooting jolted the Tigers to a quick 10-0 start, and they never looked back fully dominating University from the get-go. The game started with technical free throws as a University player tried to dunk in warmups with the refs present. This start would be the theme of the night as two more technicals would be assessed to the Trojans later and the Tigers would maintain momentum throughout the contest. Senior guard Zaveion Chism-Okoh was electric on the night pouring in a playoff career-high 22 points to go along with 4 rebounds and 5 steals. He also connected on four three pointers and provided energy for the sellout crowd. Payton Chism followed up with 15 points and 6 assists while Kelcey Morris also scored in double figures with 10 points. Edward Wilder provided a spark on defense with 3 steals and chipped in 6 points. Other scorers were James Jimerson and Jakybrein Hines with 3 points each, and Will Hills, Devin Williams, Xzavier Brown, and Eliyah Tagg all scoring 2 points apiece.

Mount Pleasant 64

Huntsville 61

A highly anticipated matchup between two of the three remaining undefeated teams in class 5A did not disappoint on Saturday night. Huntsville entered the game ranked #16 in the state and put their perfect 12-0 record on the line versus the #9 Tigers. Also, both teams had won their districts in back-to-back seasons with Huntsville lighting up the scoreboard averaging 89 points per game over their last six contests. But the Tigers, known for their defensive prowess, would rise to the challenge and hold the Hornets to their third lowest scoring output of the season.

A back and forth first quarter saw the Tigers trailing 14-12 as both teams exchanged baskets just as two heavyweights dancing around the ring. A 12-2 run by the Tigers to open the second quarter would shift momentum and Mount Pleasant would carry a 34-25 advantage into the locker room. Huntsville would not go away however, slowly chipping away at the Tiger lead, cutting the margin to 47-42 heading into the fourth frame. The Tigers would do all they could to hold off the Hornets but with just a few seconds remaining the score was tied 55-55 and the Tigers had the ball. Zaveion Chism-Okoh would drive the basket and get fouled sending him to the line with .9 seconds left on the clock. To the dismay of the crowd, Okoh would fail to connect on either free throw and the game would head to overtime. Huntsville opened the extra period with a three-point bucket, but the Tigers never faltered with their relentless attack of the basket which was guarded by the Hornets’ 6’8″ giant. Payton Chism would score 6 of the Tigers’ 9 points in the overtime period with Huntsville unable to get the ball down the floor on multiple occasions. That relentless attack fouled out two of Huntsville’s starters and gave the Tigers the advantage they needed.

Will Hills had a career night with 17 points and 12 rebounds which also included a 3 for 4 performance from behind the arc, his first long distance makes of the season. Payton Chism added 16 points and 6 rebounds for the Tigers and Zaveion Chism-Okoh chipped in 12 points and 6 steals. Kelcey Morris scored 7 points and Jakybrein Hines put up 6 points. Also scoring was Edward Wilder 4 points and Xzavier Brown 2 points. The defensive display the Tigers put on was equally impressive as they forced Huntsville to 31 turnovers, doubling their season average, and leading to 26 points for the Tigers. Huntsville’s leading scorer, who averaged 25 points per game, was held to only 11, as the Tigers keyed on him throughout the night.

Mount Pleasant will now take on Lancaster, the number one team in the state in the Regional Semi-Final game to be held this week. Game location, date, and time have yet to be set. Check the MPISD website or Facebook page this week for updated information.

By Drew Barkley