Mt’neers lose heartbreaker in districts

The team that lived and died by the 3-point shot all season, the Mt. Vernon Mt’neers, had its season abruptly cut short on a 3-pointer in the final seconds by Seneca in the Class 3 District 12 semifinals Friday, Feb. 22, in Seneca. The final score favored the host Indians, 51-49.
Seneca led the Mt’neers 10-8 after the first quarter and 25-19 at the half, with Mt. Vernon connecting on just three of their shots from beyond the arc in the first half.
Seneca opened the third quarter scoring the first seven points to put the Mt’neers down by 13 points, the biggest deficit of the night.
Mt. Vernon would fight back, however, as seniors Cale Miller and Kelly Vaughn rallied its team to a tie score early in the third quarter at 40 apiece and Mt. Vernon would even regain the lead on a Slater Eldridge 3-pointer with 4:59 left in the game, 43-41.
The lead grew to six, 49-43 with only two minutes remaining, but the Indians scored the games final eight points, including the 3-pointer from the corner in the final seconds to steal the win and end the Mt’neers season, 51-49.
Miller led Mt. Vernon in scoring with 11 points, followed by 10 for Vaughn and nine for Eldridge.