Mt. Pleasant vs. Heritage

Saginaw- Earlier this week both Mt. Pleasant and Heritage found out that they would be co-champions of the Saginaw Valley League title due to Arthur Hill having to forfeit seven games due to an ineligible player.  Thursday night Heritage took bragging rights of the conference after beating Mt. Pleasant 69-60 in a non-conference game.

A Chris Jones 3-pointer gave Heritage an early 9-2 lead.  Consecutive baskets from Trey Zeigler got the Oilers going and the two teams stayed close for the remainder of the half.  Eric Cummings 3-pointer gave Mt. Pleasant their first lead at 17-16.  The Oilers led 27-24 at the half.

A 9-2 run to start the second half, which was highlighted by a Travon Cotton two hand slam, put Heritage back in the driver’s seat.  Heritage took a 41-35 lead after Lavario Smith stole the ball and posterized an Oiler reserve with a one hand slam while being fouled.

Zeigler then closed out the third quarter with a pull up jumper and hitting four of four free throws to keep Mt. Pleasant with in 45-41.

Heritage used an 8-3 run in the fourth quarter to get the distance they needed.  Mt. Pleasant was able to get within four points late but the Hawks were able to knock down their foul shots late to hold on.

Heritage’s key for success is their balance scoring attack.   They were led by Cotton’s 15 points, but AJ Thomas added 14, with Smith adding 13 and James Johnson adding 12 points.

Zeigler led Mt. Pleasant with 24 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assist, 5 blocks, and 2 steals.   His cousin Matt Strickland added 17 points.