The Mount Pleasant Girls Basketball team has been on fire since late December, and things stayed the same following a 41-33 win over Davison on Friday night.

The Oilers Girls came into the game at 8-2, 4-0 in the Saginaw Valley League – and winners of 6 straight. Davison also came into the contest unbeaten in the conference (3-0) and 8-4 overall. 2 of the 4 remaining unbeaten teams in the SVL both wanted to head into the weekend with a zero at the end of that conference record.

Davison started the game with the first score, and were in control the entire quarter. Many steals were leading to scores as the Cardinals were leading the Oilers 12-6 at the end of the first eight.

In the 2nd, Coach French switched up the defense as the Oilers hopped into an extended 2-3 zone. This created a ton of turnovers and fastbreak opportunities for the Oilers – especially for Senior Bella Colores – who finished the first half with 9 points and 4 steals.

Despite the suffocating defense from the Oilers, Davison was forcing misses on the defensive side themselves, as the Cardinals led at the break 23-16.

The third quarter is where the dominant defense really popped off for Mount Pleasant, as they did not allow a Davison field goal until there were 3 minutes left in the 3rd. The full-court pressure combined with playing the passing lanes in the zone made it very difficult for Davison to work offensively.

Late in the 3rd quarter Senior Ava Petrino hit back-to-back floaters and we were sent into the 4th tied up at 26! Mount Pleasant only allowed 3 points in the 3rd and were searching for their first lead since the 3-2 lead from the first 90 seconds of the game.

Early in the 4th, they would get just that as Jordyn Egger drilled her first triple of the game to give Mount Pleasant the lead 31-30 just over a minute into the 4th. The Oilers wouldn’t look back after this, leading the entire rest of the way and would go on to win 41-33.

Freshman Lizzey Laney came up clutch for the Oilers, with several layups, rebounds, and blocks down the stretch to lead to the Oilers win.

Lizzey led Mount Pleasant with 15 points, and stuffed the stat sheet adding 11 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 3 steals.

Bella Colores was a wizard on defense, snagging EIGHT steals to go along with her 12 points.

Jordyn Egger and Ava Petrino each added in 6 points, 3 assists and 3 steals apiece.

Davison was led by Junior Sammi Beller who finished with 8 points.

A Mount Pleasant team that typically knocks down a ton of threes only hit two on Friday night, but it was their high-level defense that willed them to a 7th straight win. Coach French’s squad only allowed 10 second half points, as they outscored the Cardinals 25-10 after halftime.

The Oilers advance to 9-2 overall, 5-0 in the SVL, and 5-0 at home.

It’s a big week ahead in the SVL on the Girls side, as the two teams ahead of the Oilers currently (Midland and Saginaw Heritage) faceoff on Tuesday at Heritage. The Oilers will then face Midland themselves next Friday on the 31st in a doubleheader with the boys at MPHS. They will first face Big Rapids in a non-conference game at home on Tuesday.

And if you want to listen to the podcast from last weekend with Coach French and the Oiler Senior trio of Ava Petrino, Jordyn Egger and Bella Colores – CLICK HERE!

Our Local High School Coverage continues next Friday with the aforementioned Mount Pleasant Girls & Boys Doubleheader at home against Midland High.

Kyle Sandel – Buck92 Sports Director