Mt. Vernon boys defeat Aurora for first win of the season

The Mt. Vernon boy’s basketball team opened its season just two days after the Mt. Vernon football team ended its season, meaning at least a third of the team was forced to switch gears in mid-stride. The season opener came at the Clever Invitational, with the Mt’neers taking on the host Bluejays.
The Mt’neers never held the lead against Clever, trailing 15-12 after the first quarter and 30-22 at the half. By the final buzzer, the Bluejays had built a 13-point edge, 68-55.
Mason Ballay and Slater Eldridge each scored 10 points in the loss, while Kaden Killingsworth and Kelly Vaughn each added nine points.
Mt. Vernon’s consolation bracket opponent on night two of the tournament was a familiar foe, the Aurora Houn’ Dawgs. The Mt’neers controlled this one from the opening tip, earning its first win of the season, 52-40.
Mt. Vernon led at the half 25-15.
Vaughn led the Mt’neers with 13 points, followed by 12 for Cale Miller and eight for Ballay.
In the fifth-place contest the next day the Mt’neers narrowly fell to Hillcrest 54-52.