The senior captains for the Mount Pulaski Hilltoppers grab their third place trophy.  The Toppers defeated Okaw Valley 60-54 to earn the hardware in the St. Teresa Christmas Tournament.

Toppers win 3rd place at St. Teresa

[December 30, 2014]  MOUNT PULASKI - The Mount Pulaski Toppers defeated Okaw Valley Monday night 60-54 to win third place in the 2014 St. Teresa Team Soy Holiday Tournament. This was a nice turn of events since the Toppers had been winless in the tournament the last two years. Mount Pulaski led the entire game, but a fourth quarter surge by the Timberwolves made the game a little intense up until the very end.

The Toppers jumped out to the 4-0 lead early on baskets by Peyton Taylor and Matt Amidon. The Toppers extended the lead to 8-1 on a short jumper by Michael Lowery. Brett Huff entered the game and quickly hit a soft jumper to give Mount Pulaski the 12-5 lead. Beau Collier's basket just before the end of the first quarter gave the Toppers a nice 16-9 lead.

The Toppers were off to a hot start in the second quarter as Brett Huff was hitting from just about everywhere on the court. His nine points in the second quarter alone gave Mount Pulaski the 26-14 lead. Lowery connected for a three to extend that lead to 29-16 as it looked like the Toppers were set on cruise control. Amidon's free throw gave Mount Pulaski a comfortable 30-16 halftime lead.

The Toppers played a very good first half with limited turnovers and great defense. Mount Pulaski continued to have good ball movement and get balanced scoring throughout the third quarter and at one point was up 45-30 over Okaw Valley.

The fourth quarter, however, saw the Toppers hit a bump in the road. That bump was the Timberwolves press. As they forced Mount Pulaski to make turnovers, they converted those mistakes into points and edged closer to the Toppers 49-45. Sophomore Lukas Aylesworth, a key player who might enter the game for defensive purposes but will always end up fighting his way towards the basket for a couple points, came through with two points around the 2:00 mark and extended the Toppers lead 53-46. Okaw Valley came right back with a three pointer though, 53-49. Beau Collier was then fouled and made both free throws much to the delight of the Topper fans. But Amidon fouled the Timberwolves player as he was shooting a three and that player went on to make all three free throws.

The Toppers were barely holding on to a 55-52 lead. Aylesworth's free throw with 44.4 seconds on the clock made the score 56-52. The Timberwolves were desperate in the final seconds and forced to foul. Fortunately Amidon made two free throws with 14.3 seconds left and the lead was 58-53. Okaw Valley also made one at the other end for a 58-54 score late in the game. Meanwhile, Lowery, who has struggled at the free throw as of late, sank two from the charity stripe with 8.5 seconds remaining and that sealed the ballgame for the Toppers.

Mount Pulaski won 60-54 as Okaw Valley was unable to get any shot off in the final seconds.

Mount Pulaski's record improves to 6-7 on the season. The Toppers next game is January 6 at Greenview.

Toppers scoring vs. Okaw Valley:
Lowery 16
Amidon 13
Huff 11
Beau Collier 8
Taylor 6
Aylesworth 4
Blake Collier 2

[Teena Lowery]