Mt. Pleasant tumbles at Pella

PELLA — In the final regular season game of the year for the Mt. Pleasant boys basketball team, the Panthers were downed by defending state champions Pella, 73-45.

The Panthers were within striking distance of the lead at various times throughout the first half, but Mt. Pleasant never led.

Mt. Pleasant was outscored 31-24 in the first half. The Panthers were within an arms length of the lead, but the Dutch had other ideas.

Pella surged in the third quarter, running roughshod over the Panthers with a 29-9 quarter.

Mt. Pleasant went from being a few positive possessions from the lead to down 60-33 heading into the fourth.

The Panthers won the fourth quarter 14-13, but the Dutch lead was too heavy.

Payton Hagans finished with a game-high 17. Aaiden Ashton had nine points. Dewon Trent ended with seven. Carter Amos and Nate Stroud added four each. Dylon Hagans and Owen Vansickel each had two.

Mt. Pleasant will play Mount Vernon in the first round of Class 3A Substate 5 on Monday, Feb. 21. Mount Vernon knocked the Panthers out of the playoffs last season in the Substate Semifinals.