On Tuesday night, February 24, the Mt. Pulaski Hilltoppers delivered a commanding performance in the Class 1A Sectional Semifinal, defeating the Tri-County Titans 66-35 at Argenta-Oreana High School. With the victory, the Hilltoppers advance to Thursday night’s sectional championship game.
Hilltoppers Set the Tone Early
From the opening tip, Mt. Pulaski established control.
The Hilltoppers won the tip-off and wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, jumping out to a quick 6-0 run before Tri-County could respond. Their defensive pressure immediately created problems for the Titans, as turnovers and strong rebounding fueled transition opportunities on the other end.
By the end of the first quarter, Mt. Pulaski had built a 19-9 advantage, using disciplined defense and efficient scoring to dictate the pace.
Second-Quarter Surge Breaks It Open
If the first quarter set the tone, the second quarter put the game out of reach.
The Hilltoppers caught fire offensively, knocking down three-pointers, converting layups, and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. Their ball movement created open looks, and their defensive intensity never wavered.
Tri-County fought to stay within striking distance—stringing together a few layups and converting at the free-throw line—but the Titans struggled to generate sustained momentum against Mt. Pulaski’s defense.
By halftime, the Hilltoppers had extended their lead to 39-17, firmly in control.
No Letup After the Break
Mt. Pulaski carried that same energy into the second half.
Sharper passing led to even more open shots, and the Hilltoppers continued to dominate the glass. While the Titans managed to find occasional openings and add a few baskets in the third quarter, they were unable to chip away at the sizable deficit.
At the end of the third quarter, Mt. Pulaski led comfortably, 56-29.
Depth on Display
The fourth quarter showcased the Hilltoppers’ depth.
Maintaining their intensity, Mt. Pulaski continued to execute on both ends of the floor before gradually rotating in bench players to give the starters well-earned rest. Though Tri-County found some success against the reserves, the outcome was never in doubt.
With the running clock implemented midway through the fourth quarter, the Hilltoppers closed out a decisive 66-35 victory.
Championship Bound
With the win, Mt. Pulaski advances to the Sectional Championship on Thursday, February 26 at 6 p.m., where they will face Toledo High School. The championship game will once again be held at Argenta-Oreana High School.
Tuesday night’s dominant performance sent a clear message: the Hilltoppers are playing their best basketball at the right time—and they’re not finished yet.
Post Sectional Semi-Final Game Interview with Coach McVickers
Post Sectional Semi-Final Game Interview with Alyson Murphy
4 points in 15 Seconds from Alyson Murphy and Audrey Cooper
Addison Brown from Downtown sinking the Three Pointer
Good Ball Movement leads to Ella Martin to Score under the Basket