The Mount Vernon girls basketball team battled the Benton Bobcats and the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings, losing by nine to the Bobcats and just one point to the Vikings.
Mount Vernon’s Lilly See (No. 11) advances the ball down the court in play last week.
Trent Bowman | Staff photo
“Overall, there were a lot of positives this week as we continued to demonstrate that we can compete against some of the best teams in the state,” said head coach Nate Sanderson.
“Throughout our last three games against top 10 opponents, turnovers continue to be our Achilles heel. We are playing well enough defensively to stay in games, and are consistently shooting a higher percentage than our opponents.
Mount Vernon’s Kameron Brand looks for an open teammate in play last week.
Trent Bowman | Staff photo
“The pieces are there for this team to become something special, and we could not be more proud of how the team has responded and competed despite the setbacks this week,” Sanderson said.
Mount Vernon’s Peyton Simpson (No. 25) dibbles the ball in play last week.
Trent Bowman | Staff photo
Tuesday, Dec. 6“We faced a terrific Benton team led by senior Jenna Twedt, a Kirkwood Community College signee. She was sensational, scoring 30 points on eight three-point field goals,” said the coach of the Tuesday road loss.
“We struggled to stay in front of her, and her range made it difficult to challenge her on the perimeter. That being said, we actually shot a better percentage from the field, and despite 20 turnovers, we played even with the Bobcats into the fourth quarter.
“Four Mustangs scored at least eight points in the game led by Lilly See (11), Chloe Meester (10), Courtney Franck (9), and Kameron Brand (8),” Sanderson said.
Friday, Dec. 9 Three nights later, the Mustangs hosted the Vinton-Shellsburg Vikings, losing a heartbreaker by one point, 44-43.
Mount Vernon’s Josie Niehaus (No. 22) tries to advance the ball around the key in play last week.
Trent Bowman | Staff photo
The team was without Courtney Franck, due to an injury.
“We played well enough to win the game,” Coach Sanderson evaluated.
“After going back-and-forth for most of the night, we had a three-point lead going into the final minute, but could not close the game. Untimely turnovers and an inability to convert at the free throw line became our undoing.
“Chloe Meester recorded the first double-double of her career with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Josie Niehaus played very well off the bench, providing a spark at both ends of the floor in the best varsity performance of her young career,” said Sanderson.
