Mount Pulaski falls to Warrensburg-Latham 62-40

[December 04, 2014]  MOUNT PULASKI - It was a very emotional evening in the "Ed Butkovich Gymnasium" Tuesday night as the Toppers took to the floor. Unfortunately the game did not turn out the way that Coach Ed Butkovich would have liked, but the Toppers knew they would be up against a very athletic and heavily-talented Warrensburg-Latham team.

The Toppers certainly struggled in the first quarter and were down 6-0 when Senior Michael Lowery finally scored the first two points with a jumper from the corner beneath the newly-hung sign in honor of the beloved coach. Thanks to some hot three point shooting from the Cardinals' Austin Hardin, the score was quickly 14-2 their favor. The athleticism was very clear as the Cardinal team offered up an alley-oop in the first quarter at the hands of Weston Nottelmann. The Toppers ended the first quarter on a positive note as Lowery hit a three at the buzzer but Mount Pulaski still trailed 17-9.

A couple turnovers killed the Toppers momentum in the second quarter as the Cardinals jumped out to a 26-11 lead. Lowery and Peyton Taylor would be able to make their free throws to keep the Toppers within somewhat close range. Building momentum Mount Pulaski's Beau Collier nailed a three and Matt Amidon drove inside for the basket and one with :57 left in the quarter and 28-21 halftime score.

Beau Collier would continue the hot hand with a three pointer in the third quarter but that would be just about all Mount Pulaski had to cheer about at this time. Warrensburg-Latham went on a tear scoring 18 unanswered points that pretty much put the Toppers away for the night. At the end of three the Cardinals led 51-27.

The fourth quarter was not much better for the Toppers. Threes by Brayden Curry and Brett Huff allowed the Toppers to reach 40, the lowest number of points scored by Mount Pulaski this season.

With the 62-40 loss the Toppers record fell to 3-2 on the young season.

Give credit where credit is due though. Coach Vic Binkley of Warrensburg-Latham has 30 years coaching experience and he has yet another great Cardinal team that is heavily-loaded with talented juniors. Coach Binkley, incidentally did his student teaching in Mount Pulaski in 1980 under Coach Ed Butkovich and was on the Hilltoppers coaching staff. That 1980 team featured Wayne Clark and made the Elite Eight.

Coach Binkley offered a few thoughts on Butkovich after the game. "I student taught here in 1980. They took me in and made me a part of their family. Ed probably got me my first and second job and so he was a big influence. Of course, we try to do a lot of the stuff that he did, and it worked for him and it's still working for us." He added, "It was kind of bitter-sweet coming up here. On one side we're here to win and on the other side it's a special night for Mount Pulaski."

The Toppers next game is Friday night in Cerro Gordo at 7:30 pm.

Toppers scoring

Lowery -  11
Amidon - 6
Beau Collier - 6
Taylor - 4
Curry - 3
Aylesworth - 3
Brett Huff - 3
Blake Collier - 2
Litterly - 2

[Teena Lowery]