Mount Pulaski celebrates Senior
Night with a win; Franklin Wade reaches 1,000 career points
[February 20, 2026]
The Mount Pulaski Hilltoppers hosted Cerro Gordo on Wednesday
night for Senior Night. Seniors in Basketball, Cheerleading, Pep
Band, Scholastic Bowl and Esports were each recognized before the
start of the Varsity basketball game.
On the basketball court the Hilltoppers cranked up the offense in
the second half and blew out the Broncos 61-30. Mount Pulaski had
trailed 21-20 at halftime.
The highlight of the first half was senior Franklin Wade reaching
the elite milestone of 1,000 career points. He scored this magic
number thanks to an assist by his cousin, Eric Cooper, who also
reached 1,000 points earlier this season.
First quarter
The Hilltoppers found themselves down early 8-2 with Eric Cooper
scoring Mount Pulaski’s first basket. With buckets by Austin
Kretzinger, Deegan Tschantz and Franklin Wade to close out the
quarter the Hilltoppers cut the lead to 13-9. Wade’s bucket came
with seven seconds left and it was a three from the corner that put
him in the 1,000 point club. After a timeout was called and the
announcement was made, Wade tossed the game ball to his dad, Tanker,
in the stands.
Second quarter
Mount Pulaski was able to tie the game just over three minutes into
the second quarter. Kretzinger’s field goal and two buckets from
Wade made it a 15-15 ballgame. The Broncos would jump in front again
18-15 and then 20-15. Mount Pulaski had to battle back again.
Kretzinger and Braden Olson each tossed in baskets to close the gap.
Reed Martin hit one free throw with 7.3 seconds left and Mount
Pulaski was down 21-20 at the halftime buzzer.
Third quarter
Mount Pulaski started a huge run in the third quarter and it never
ended until the fourth. It was basically one steal after another
like they were playing biddy ball. Mount Pulaski outscored the
Broncos 22-0 in the quarter that started on a layup by Olson and
ended on a three by Keoni Charron. Wade led the team with twelve
points as the score was 42-21 at the end of the third quarter.
Fourth quarter
The Broncos finally scored a bucket for the first time in the second
half at the 7:13 mark. Kretzinger and Wade made sure the Hilltoppers
stayed on track and after Wade’s three the lead was 50-25. Preston
Cowan poured in the Hilltoppers next five points on a corner three
and a layup to put Mount Pulaski up 55-25. Martin took care of the
scoring the rest of the way and Mount Pulaski comes out on top
61-30.
Franklin Wade led all scores with 22 points.
Austin Kretzinger tossed in 12 points.
Mount Pulaski won the JV game 59-19.
Mount Pulaski will play Illini Bluffs tonight at Glasford.
The JV will start at 6:00 p.m. and the Varsity will follow at 7:30
p.m.
MPHS recognized the following seniors before the Varsity game:
Eric Cooper ~ Basketball
Preston Cowan ~ Basketball
Deegan Tschantz ~ Basketball
Franklin Wade ~ Basketball
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Franklin Wade with the game ball and an autographed ball from his
teammates after his 1,000th point game versus Cerro Gordo. Photo by
Teena Lowery
Sophia Buenrostro ~ Cheerleading
Kya Matson ~ Cheerleading
Addisen Williams ~ Cheerleading
Bailey Birdwell ~ Pep Band and Esports
Keaton Roemer ~ Pep Band and Esports
Meridith Nixon ~ Scholastic Bowl
Adison Sanchez ~ Scholastic Bowl
Charity Woodford ~ Scholastic Bowl
Varsity scoring
Mount Pulaski 61
Wade 22
Kretzinger 12
Martin 7
Cooper 5
Cowan 5
Olson 4
Charron 4
Tschantz 2
Cerro Gordo 30
Cogdill 8
Blickenstaff 6
Fusion 5
Carve 5
Hentz 4
Larimore 2
JV scoring
Mount Pulaski 59
Volle 13
K. Olson 11
Charron 10
B. Olson 10
Martin 9
Siebert 4
Hebenstreit 2
Cerro Gordo 19
Shackelford 9
Larimore 4
Lehew 3
Blickenstaff 3
[Teena Lowery w/additional photos courtesy of Heather Fricke]
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