Shaky start haunts Mt. Pleasant boys

CEDAR RAPIDS — It took too long for the Mt. Pleasant boys basketball team to find its groove on Monday night.

The Panthers found themselves in a 23-point halftime hole against the hosting Cedar Rapids Washington Warriors. A second-half comeback attempt was too little too late in a 72-59 loss.

Mt. Pleasant didn’t score in the first four minutes, letting Cedar Rapids Washington jump out to an early lead. The Panthers trailed 22-7 after the first quarter and 37-14 at halftime.

Mt. Pleasant won both of the next two periods, outscoring the Warriors 20-15 in the third and 25-20 in the fourth. The Panthers nailed six 3-pointers in the second half alone.

Owen Vansickel had a monster second half, going off for all 16 of his points on the night. Dewon Trent had 14 points. Payton Hagans and Aaiden Ashton scored 11 apiece. Dylon Hagans had four, and Carter Amos scored three.

Mt. Pleasant is now 2-3 overall. The Panthers will put their 1-1 Southeast Conference record on the line at No. 5 Washington on Friday night.