Mount Vernon News

LEWIS CENTER — Just over 4 1/2 minutes into Friday night’s game, the Mount Vernon high school boys basketball team found itself down, 15-2. Head coach Kurt Kaufman called a timeout, and the Yellow Jackets were able to regroup and eventually lead the Olentangy Braves, but it wasn’t enough. Olentangy overcame Mount Vernon in the end, 64-60.

“We weren’t ready to play tonight, that was obvious,” said Kaufman. “When you come into this gym you have to be ready to play. But, our kids showed a lot of poise. When you are down by 13 points after the first quarter, you could easily panic. Our kids didn’t panic.”

The 13-point deficit lasted for over one-fourth of the game, as the Jackets (4-13, 0-9 Ohio Capital Conference) trailed 23-10 after the first quarter. A 13-5 run from Mount Vernon brought the Braves (11-7, 6-3 OCC) within five points with three minutes remaining in the first half, 28-23.

Poising his team for a chance at the lead, Mount Vernon’s T.T. Crouch hit a 3-pointer with 1:25 left in the second quarter that brought the Yellow Jackets within one point of Olentangy, 31-30. The Braves scored a bucket, and the Jackets got two points from the charity stripe. At the buzzer, Crouch attempted a 3-pointer that would have given the Jackets the lead, but it missed, leaving the Braves ahead at halftime, 33-32.

Mount Vernon attacked the basket right away in the second half of the game. Ben Severns launched a 3-pointer for the Jackets only 15 seconds into the third quarter. The shot was good, and Mount Vernon gained the lead for the first time in the contest. Another shot from Russell Doup put the Yellow Jackets up by four points, 37-33.

“We got a lot of contribution from kids off the bench,” said Kaufman. “We just whittled our way back into the game. For the last three quarters, our kids played a tremendous game of basketball.”

Over the next three minutes, Mount Vernon saw its lead dwindle, then vanish. The Braves tied the game at 41, then proceeded to take the lead once again. Mount Vernon tied it up on a basket from Drew Cheek, and kept it tied at 45 by the end of the fourth quarter.

The final quarter just didn’t go Mount Vernon’s way. The Olentangy offense picked up its pace in the fourth quarter, and exploded to a five-point lead in only 30 seconds. Four minutes later, the lead had been extended to nine points, 58-49.

Mount Vernon brought the game back within two points with 1:06 remaining on the clock. Each team made a basket, then Olentangy made a second basket to make the score 62-58. Mount Vernon missed a shot, then another. The Braves got a free throw, and Cuy Sheffield scored a basket to make the score 63-60. Olentangy got one more free throw, putting the Jackets in an awkward scoring position.

With only five seconds left to play, Mount Vernon would have to hope for a chance at the very rare four-point play. Stephen Bien got a good opportunity for the Jackets, and launched a shot as he leaned into an Olentangy player. The shot missed, however, and no foul was called, closing the books on a 64-60 loss.

“I keep telling the guys that we are very close,” said Kaufman. “We keep saying it. Every game they have played right with some very great teams, and each time it comes down to execution. We just have to continue to work on that.”

Severns led the Jackets with 16 points. Bien scored 10 points for Mount Vernon, and Sheffield and Cheek each scored eight points.

Mount Vernon will play again tonight, against the Monarchs of Marysville. The jayvee game will start at 6 p.m. in Mount Vernon.