O'Connell freshman guard Sherif Kenney managed the game well under the bright lights finishing with 14 points,2 rebounds and 2 assist
While both teams in the first half got the shots that they wanted, neither team could convert on those shots. O'Connell would finish the half shooting 36.4% while Mount Pleasant finished with 30.8% from the field as the Green Knights, thanks to knocking down the only three pointer of the half, held a 21-19 lead. In the second half, things changed drastically as O'Connell found a rhythm offensively and locked in defensively to cruise to a 53-46 win. On defense O'Connell use their length on the perimeter and excellent shot blocking from center Nate Watson (11 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks) and D'Marco Baucum (7 points, 9 rebounds,2 blocks) to hold Mount Pleasant to 31% shooting from the field in the second half while the playmaking of freshman guard Sherif Kenney (14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assist) and Randall Gaskins (13 points) pushed O'Connell out in front for the majority of the second half. In a game of adjustments, O'Connell adjusted early and often to the Green Knights defense. Instead of settling for jumpers, O'Connell attacked at will, either with their guards finishing at the basket, or feeding center Nate Watson for poster worthy dunks. The relentless attack overwhelmed the feisty Mount Pleasant who suffered their first loss to fall to 5-1 while the Knights improved to 8-4 on the season.
Richard Caldwell led Mount pleasant with 14 points and 5 rebounds while Sharif Holland added 11 points.
Mount Pleasant will next face St Elizabeth (DE) Tuesday at noon while O'Connell will take on The Patrick School Tuesday at 3pm
Nate Watson (White 0) was a MAN in the paint for O'Connell finishing with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks