Mitchell senior Tyler McKinney drives to the basket and looks for space as a pair of Mountain Heritage defenders try to slow him down Friday, Jan. 10 during Mitchell's 74-48 home loss to the Cougars. (MNJ/Brandon Roberts)
LEDGER – The Mitchell High School boys’ varsity basketball team lost two of its three games this past week to fall to 3-7 overall and 0-2 in the Western Highlands Conference.
The Mountaineers lost 69-47 at Owen Monday, Jan. 6, beat visiting East Rutherford 73-70 in overtime Wednesday, Jan. 8, and lost 74-48 Friday, Jan. 10, to visiting Mountain Heritage.
Senior Mitchell McMahan led the Mountaineers against Owen with 10 points. Junior Caius Peterson added a team-high 11 rebounds and senior Zeus Ponder registered 10 rebounds.
Mitchell and East Rutherford entered overtime tied at 62-62 but the Mountaineers outscored the visitors 11-8 in the extra frame to earn the win. McMahan and Ponder scored 23 and 20 points, respectively, and Peterson added 14 points and a team-high 14 rebounds.
The Mountaineers fell behind early and couldn’t regain their footing against Mountain Heritage. The Cougars led 19-15 after one quarter and extended their lead to 43-28 at halftime. Mountain Heritage outscored Mitchell 31-20 in the second half.
Peterson (13 points), McMahan (12 points) and senior Tyler McKinney (10 points) led the Mountaineers offensively. Peterson led the team with four rebounds and McMahan led the team with four steals.
Mitchell was at Madison Tuesday, Jan. 14. Results were not available at press time.
Mitchell hosts Polk County Friday, Jan. 17, and plays Saturday, Jan. 18, at T. Wingate Andrews in High Point.