Mount Pulaski defeats Midwest Central/Delavan 63-30

 

[December 11, 2024]  Alyson Murphy needed 23 points to reach 1,000 career points as a Lady Topper and she got it on her last basket in the third quarter on Monday night as Mount Pulaski beat Midwest Central/Delavan 63-30 at Ed Butkovich Gymnasium. 

Murphy is just a junior at MPHS and with the way she’s been on fire this season, there is sure to be another milestone in her future in addition to a lot more team wins.

Murphy is a big reason the Lady Toppers are 6-1 this season and she’s got a great supporting cast around her. 

Sophomores Addison Brown, Audrey Cooper, Claire Bobell, Mackenzie Johnston, Piper Tyson and Kelsey Beggs are all capable of putting up double-figures on any given night. 

Junior Elayna Marten along with seniors Abby Jones and Cecilia Davis complete a really deep squad for Coach Ryan McVickers.

Murphy leads the team by averaging 20.7 ppg. 

On Monday night versus Midwest Central/Delavan, Mount Pulaski was hot from the start, with Brown, Marten and Bobell all draining threes in the first quarter. Murphy had seven points in the opening quarter as the Lady Toppers were quick to jump in front of the Raiders 22-9.

Mount Pulaski added ten points in the second quarter and held the Raiders to two free throws to run the lead up to 32-11 at the half.

Brown hit two more 3s in the third quarter while Bobell and Murphy each scored one. Murphy also added a trio of two-point field goals and a free throw that helped her achieve the 23 points needed for 1,000 points. Murphy achieved this milestone after nailing a jumper just inside the three-point line, hitting nothing but net. Coach McVickers quickly called a timeout to allow the crowd and Murphy’s teammates to acknowledge her feat.

By the end of the third quarter Mount Pulaski was leaving no doubt in this one, winning 51-22.

Brown and Bobell each tossed in a three in the fourth quarter, bringing the total to 10 on the night for the Lady Toppers. Audrey Cooper was also 4-for-6 from the free throw line and scored a field goal for six points in the final quarter. 

Mount Pulaski won by a final score of 63-30.

Congratulations to Aly Murphy for scoring her 1,000th career point!

Mount Pulaski will host Illini Central Thursday night.

The Varsity game starts at 7:00 p.m. 

Alyson Murphy hits a milestone ~ 1,000 career points as a Lady Topper! The junior is averaging 20.7 ppg for Mount Pulaski. Photo by Heather Murphy.

Hoops For Hope

Thursday night’s game versus Illini Central will also feature a fundraiser for Reese Volle, the son of Ron and Lexi Volle of Lincoln. Ron Volle grew up in Mount Pulaski. His 11 month old son, Reese, was diagnosed with a rare liver disease called Biliary Atresia in March of 2024. 

In August of 2024 Ron donated a piece of his liver to Reese. The family has incurred a lot of financial burden, as both father and son went through liver surgeries. 

Reese continues to thrive since his liver transplant and he recently got to meet Santa. This cute little tyke also has four teeth now! 

Thursday night will be a jam packed evening with a MPGS 2nd/3rd grade girls basketball scrimmage at 5:00 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m. there will be a MPGS 4th grade girls basketball game versus West Lincoln Broadwell.

At 6:00 p.m. there will be a live auction in the gym. 

There will also be a silent auction, a bake sale, a 50/50 raffle as well as donations collected to help Reese and his family.

Varsity scoring 

Mount Pulaski 63

Murphy 23

Brown 16

Bobell 9

Marten 8

Cooper 7

Midwest Central/Delavan 30

DeSutter 10

Kerley 5

Sidwell 4

Junkin 4

Meeker 3

Warner 2

DeSutter 1

Butler 1

[Teena Lowery]