Mount Pulaski Lady Toppers win The
2025 Riverton Lady Hawk Christmas Classic
[January 02, 2026]
The Mount Pulaski Lady Toppers defeated Roanoke-Benson 48-34
on Tuesday night to win the 2025 Riverton Lady Hawk Christmas
Classic.
The Lady Toppers remain undefeated with a 13-0 record and if you
want to know the key to their success this season, it can be summed
up in one word by the two seniors, Alyson Murphy and Elayna Marten.
That word is FUN.
“I think that we’re all just having so much fun this year,” said
Marten.
“This year we’ve started singing on the bus on the way to every game
and I think that has motivated us,” added Murphy. “In the locker
room we are all jamming out to music and when we hit the court we
are all motivated. The music really pumps us up.”
“I think we have a lot more chemistry this year,” said Marten. “We
all kind of flow together. We have two people, Ella Martin and
Olivia Smith, who have really stepped up and helped us a lot.
They’ve helped us down low and on defense and that’s been a big step
for us.”
As for goals this season, Marten added, “Just to keep having fun and
to hopefully end up in Redbird Arena. Keep doing what we’re doing.”
Murphy agreed.
“Definitely to make it to Redbird Arena is a goal,” said Murphy.
“The last three years we’ve gone and watched the state games and
every single year we’re like, “We’re gonna make it next year. We’re
gonna make it next year.”
“I really feel like this year we have the ability to make it to
Redbird Arena. We’ve just got to stick with it and stay as a family
and keep the chemistry going,” concluded Murphy.
The formula for success is definitely working for the Lady Toppers,
who move the ball quickly and unselfishly on offense. These ladies
really hustle their hearts out on defense too. They never lose their
focus on the court. Toss in a little fun off the court by way of
singing and you’ve got a happy bunch of girls who are enjoying the
winning streak.
Tuesday night’s tournament championship was proof the girls are
having fun. They played loose, remained calm throughout the game and
once the final buzzer sounded, the celebrating and the smiles took
over.
Congratulations also to Aly Murphy, who was named the tournament MVP
and to her teammates, Addison Brown, Audrey Cooper and Elayna
Marten, who were named to the all-tournament team as well.
As for the game, it was a rematch of last year’s regional
championship that the Rockets won 49-47 on a last second layup. It
was a heartbreaker for Mount Pulaski last year, but this year’s team
is already much improved and the result was way different.
First quarter
The Rockets of Roanoke-Benson blasted out to a 6-0 lead early over
Mount Pulaski and it took the Lady Toppers a while to get a shot to
fall. Elayna Marten finally scored Mount Pulaski’s first bucket at
the 4:50 mark and twenty seconds later Piper Tyson scored in the
lane. The Rockets came back to answer with a three by Bri Harms.
Harms stretched the Rockets lead to 10-4 with just under three
minutes left in the quarter. Around the two minute mark Alyson
Murphy drained a three and that would settle the first quarter score
with Mount Pulaski trailing 10-7.
[to top of second column] |
Alyson Murphy, Audrey Cooper, Bri Harms, Addison Brown and Elayna
Marten made the all-tournament team at Riverton. Photo by Teena
Lowery
Second quarter
Mount Pulaski was able to tie the game less than two minutes into
the second quarter. A free throw and a layup by Murphy knotted the
two teams at ten apiece. With the Lady Toppers cranking up the
defense a notch, the Rockets were flustered and Mount Pulaski took
advantage. Murphy put Mount Pulaski on top at the 4:16 mark and
there was no looking back for the Lady Toppers. A steal and a layup
by Audrey Cooper added to the Rockets frustration. Mount Pulaski
extended the lead to 16-10 when Ella Martin pulled down a rebound
from a Rockets miss and she made a great bounce pass through traffic
to Cooper, who finished with the shot in the lane. After a timeout
by the Rockets, Mount Pulaski was back at it again. This time Murphy
hit a three and the Toppers had found a rhythm. As the two minute
mark was approaching the Rockets finally scored a bucket. Mount
Pulaski was quick to respond with two free throws from Marten and a
putback by Addison Brown. Before halftime the Rockets made one free
throw and it was Mount Pulaski controlling the game 23-13.
Third quarter
Mount Pulaski was still able to outscore the Rockets in the third
quarter and maintain a respectable lead. Olivia Smith dropped in the
first bucket for the Lady Toppers and Brown followed with a three.
Murphy pulled down a rebound and tossed up a reverse shot that fell
through the net. Cooper also earned her points from an offensive
rebound and she sank the ‘and one’ after the foul was called. Mount
Pulaski was up 33-19 at this point. The Rockets made it interesting
with a 5-0 run but then Marten hit a three from the corner that
dropped through the net as the buzzer sounded and the Lady Toppers
ran to the bench, all smiles, with a 36-24 lead.
Fourth quarter
Nothing new to do here except keep the pressure on the ball and keep
making your own shots. Mount Pulaski stuck to their game plan and
Brown was the first Topper to score in the quarter on a three.
Marten followed with a jump shot for two points and ten seconds
later it was Brown with the steal and layup. The Rockets didn’t have
much of an answer except for Harms. She scored two quick buckets but
Mount Pulaski still held onto a double-digit lead. At the 4:13 mark
Marten scored on a drive and the score was 45-31. In the final
minutes Marten would sink one free throw and Brown would bank in the
last Mount Pulaski field goal off the nice assist from Murphy. The
Rockets added their final point at the free throw line and Mount
Pulaski came out on top 48-34.
A trio of Lady Toppers hit double-figures: Alyson Murphy (13),
Addison Brown (12) and Elayna Marten (12).
You can catch the Lady Toppers at home this Saturday afternoon as
they host Lexington. The JV game will tip-off at 2:00 p.m. and the
Varsity will start at 3:30 p.m.
Mount Pulaski 48
Murphy 13
Brown 12
Marten 12
Cooper 7
Smith 2
Tyson 2
Roanoke-Benson 34
Harms 15
Beltramea 6
Tomlinson 8
Weber 2
Oltman 2
Delagrange 1
[Teena Lowery] |
