Mt’neers fall to East Newton after comeback attempt just short

By: 
Skylan Akins

Mt. Vernon's Dom Schnelten and Braxton Horton box out the Patriot rebounder to get a crucial second chance bucket late in Tuesday's matchup against East Newton. (Photo by Skylan Akins)

The Mt’neers fell in their lone showdown last week to Big-8 foe East Newton in a defensive struggle 36-35.
The Mt’neers and the Patriots were about deadlocked on the defensive side the ball as neither team was able to muster any offense but Mt. Vernon took an 18-17 lead into the half behind an impressively spread out attack. Sophomore Jarrett Zerby led the Mt’neers with four points but all seven Mt’neers who saw time in the first two quarters scored.
East Newton jumped out in the second half and eventually pushed their lead up to as much as 14 in the third quarter. The Mt’neers battled back and a three point barrage in the final 45 seconds of the game the Mt’neers cut the lead to just 36-32 until senior Caleb Rinker banked in a three to cut it to just one with 1.4 seconds left. Two missed free throws from East Newton gave the Mt’neers a chance but the full-court prayer fell wide left and the Patriots escaped Mt’neer country 36-35.
“I am very proud of our guys,” Mt. Vernon head coach Mike Ray said. “We talked earlier this week and everyone plays hard but we really competed. It’s no secret that we are struggling shooting the ball and we will have to start hitting some of those shots, but defensively we did a lot of good things but just fell short,” Ray said.
The Mt’neers fall to 3-3 for the year with just one contest, with Fair Grove on Tuesday, left before the Blue and Gold Tournament after Christmas.
Mt’neer scoring vs. East Newton
Jarrett Zerby 11
Grayson Gann 7
Caleb Rinker 5
Clayton Turner 4
Dom Schnelten 4
Braxton Horton 2
Landon Jones 2

Girls
The Lady Mt’neers fell to Forsyth, Monday but have since been sidelined with illness and were forced to postpone match-ups with East Newton and Osage. They were scheduled to be back in action for the Pink and White tournament beginning on Dec. 27, however, due to illness and injuries they will not be participating this year.
 

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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