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[November 20, 2012] 
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The Mount Pulaski Hilltoppers
opened the 2012-2013 basketball season with a 63-61 win over the
Calvary Christian Academy Knights of Normal.
The Toppers were off to a fast
start in the first quarter, leading 22-8 thanks to 15 points by Brady
Thomas. With Thomas on the bench in foul trouble in the second
quarter, the Knights made a run to trim the Toppers' halftime lead to
31-25.
The Toppers were off to
another quick start in the third quarter with a couple of layups by
Thomas and Jordan Luczaj. Michael Lowery then threw down a no-look
pass for a nice assist to Matthew Amidon, who scored the easy bucket.
Freshman Brett Huff also sank a 3 to extend the Toppers' lead, but
the Knights were not giving up. They also came out of the locker
room shooting well and tied the score at 39-39 with 2:36 left in the
third quarter.
Mount Pulaski took a 48-40 lead
going into the fourth quarter. Once again the Knights turned it up a
notch and made it an exciting ballgame, tying the score at 59-59 with
1:40 left. The Toppers would need to make some key free throws down
the stretch and they did.
Owen Tschantz sank 3 of 4 free
throws in the final minutes. Lowery and Blake Collier also chipped in one
each in the final seconds as Mount Pulaski held on for the
63-61 victory.
The second annual Mount Pulaski Turkey Tournament
continues Tuesday through Saturday with, of course, the teams taking off
for Thanksgiving. Next up for the Toppers in this round-robin
tournament is DeLand-Weldon on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
Final stats: Blake Collier, 6 points; Michael Lowery, 6; Brady
Thomas, 21; Brett Huff, 6; Jordan Luczaj, 11; Matthew Amidon,
6; Owen Tschantz, 7.
Pictures and report by Teena Lowery |
