Tigers Get Back on Track, Dominate Marshall, 44-28

by Drew Barkley

After losing their second district game in three seasons last Friday, the Mount Pleasant Tigers got back to the grind and locked down their defense to defeat Marshall on Tuesday. The Tigers held the Mavericks to just 39% from the floor and forced 26 turnovers. Marshall scored less than 10 points in three out of four quarters as the Tiger defense kept them at bay all night.

Marshall opened the game on fire, taking a brief 5-3 lead and keeping things close by knocking down a couple of three-point shots in the quarter. Mount Pleasant would lead 10-8 after one frame before using a 14-3 second quarter to open up the game. The Tigers took the lead to 37-18 in the third quarter. They led by as much as 20 points before cruising the rest of the way.

Freshman Reggie Webster led all scorers with 12 points. Will Hills joined him in double figures with 11 points, and Kyler Smith added 8 points. Payton Chism was solid across the board with 6 points, four rebounds, four assists, and eight steals, and Edward Wilder chipped in 4 points. Kai Price added 2 points, and Elijah Morris had 1.

The Tigers improve to 14-7 overall and 2-1 in the district, tied in second place with Sulphur Springs behind league-leading Hallsville. Hallsville defeated Sulphur Springs in overtime to remain atop the district standings in other league action, and Longview defeated Pine Tree.

On Friday, Mount Pleasant will host Pine Tree (7-13, 0-3), with all three teams set to play starting at 5:00 pm. Tickets must be purchased online at www.mpisd.net/athletic-tickets or watched live on the Mount Pleasant Tiger Basketball YouTube channel.