MOUNT VERNON – A late comeback wasn’t enough to overcome Mount Vernon’s biggest nonconference rival.
The host Yellow Jackets erased an eight-point deficit in the fourth period Wednesday, but succumbed to foul troubles late. To seal the Jackets' fate, Delaware Hayes sophomore Jesse Burris scored 18 points in the fourth quarter to help the Pacers pull away from the pesky Jackets, 54-49.
Beau Bridges put the team on his shoulders Wednesday. The Mount Vernon senior finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds. More impressively, he either scored or assisted on every Mount Vernon point in the second and third quarters.
“Beau shoulders a lot of responsibility on himself, especially offensively,” Mount Vernon coach Nick Coon said. “We trust him. He makes good decisions. Very unselfish player.
“That’s what we need to see from everybody as we go into our last stretch here as a team.”
With under a minute to play, Bridges passed to Nolan Belcher, who sank a 3-pointer to give the Jackets a 49-48 lead, their first lead since early in the third period.
However, on the next play, Bridges swatted a shot by Burris. The officials called a foul on the play – Bridges’ fifth of the game – despite arguments by coaches and fans that the block was clean. Burris sank the two ensuing free throws, giving Hayes the lead for good.
“A human being makes the calls,” Coon said. “We’re going to like some of them, and not like some of them. It didn’t decide the game. We have to make our own luck and not be in a situation like that.”
Burris finished the game with 31 points, including going 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. The 6-foot-4 sophomore guard is the second-leading scorer in the Central District.
Belcher’s three gave him 11 points in the fourth period, 16 points overall. He also collected three rebounds as he found ways around Hayes defenders throughout the period.
“He (Belcher) has spent countless hours in this gym by himself,” the coach said. “More so than that, he’s a top-notch kid and teammate and willing to do what it takes to help his team. I couldn’t be more proud of who he’s become.”
Trevor Buttke scored eight points for the Jackets. Caden Rowland had five points. Logan Kirby scored two points off the bench, and Cooper Carpenter hit a free throw.
The two teams have played at least once a year going back at least 50 years. The two teams were once rivals in the Ohio Capital Conference until Mount Vernon left for the Ohio Cardinal Conference. Since then, the teams still play every year, though much of the fanfare in the rivalry has waned in recent years.
Mount Vernon (5-5) led, 13-9, after one quarter, but the Pacers went on a 12-3 run to take a five-point lead. Bridges hit a bucket then a 3-pointer before the buzzer to tie the game at 21 at the half.
Delaware Hayes (8-2) led, 41-33, in the fourth before the Jackets rallied on an 8-0 run to tie the game with 3:52 remaining.
