Mt. Pleasant mops Fort Madison

MT. PLEASANT — Fans of the Mt. Pleasant boys basketball team were treated to a runaway on Friday night at Mt. Pleasant Community High School.

Mt. Pleasant’s Payton Hagans takes the ball up court after a steal on Friday against Fort Madison. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

The Panthers were impressive from start to finish in a 66-42 blowout of the Bloodhounds to kick off the Southeast Conference schedule. It was Mt. Pleasant’s first win over Fort Madison since 2020.

“It feels amazing, because we haven't beat these guys since two years ago,” said junior guard Payton Hagans. “It feels real good.”

Hagans was feeling pretty good himself in the first half. He carried the scoring effort early, putting up seven points in the first quarter and nine in the second to collect 16 before the break.

Mt. Pleasant’s Christian Stacy handles the ball during the Panthers’ SEC win over Fort Madison on Friday. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

The two teams were knotted up at 15-15 after one quarter. Mt. Pleasant led 26-21 at halftime.

The Panther turned it on in the third quarter. Nate Stroud scored seven points in the period and Mt. Pleasant broke open a 48-33 lead after three quarters.

“It was pretty tight there in the first half,” said Mt. Pleasant head coach Eric Rawson. “We felt like going into half time, we were starting to wear them down.”

Mt. Pleasant’s Owen Vansickel lets a 3-pointer fly on Friday night against Fort Madison. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)

The Panthers kept cruising in the fourth, being able to empty the bench down the stretch. In all, nine Mt. Pleasant players reached the score book.

Hagans finished the day with 21 to lead all scorers. Aaiden Ashton had 14. Stroud finished with eight.

Freshman Christian Stacy scored seven points in the win. Owen Vansickel finished with six. Drake Anderson scored four. Chris Ewoldt had three. Carter Amos and Noah Lange each tallied two.

Mt. Pleasant moved to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in SEC play with the win.

Mt. Pleasant’s Chris Ewoldt Bloodhound splits defenders for a layup on Friday night. (Andy Krutsinger/The Union)