Girls Basketball - Mount Pleasant vs Southmoreland

January 14, 2021

Southmoreland Girls Hand Rival Mount Pleasant First Loss, 46-24

A matchup of neighboring rival schools automatically carries an air of importance, no matter the records of the two teams. But when the game also features a pair of unbeaten teams, bragging rights are even sweeter for the victor, who also spoils their rival's perfect season. Such was the case when the Southmoreland girls basketball squad made the short drive to Mount Pleasant for an early season battle of Class 4A Section 3 unbeaten rivals on Thursday, January 14.

The game tipped off after the teams spontaneously joined to sing an a cappella version of the national anthem following a problem with the in-house audio system. A cold start plagued both squads as they struggled to find the hoop, with the Southmoreland Lady Scotties holding a 6-2 lead over the Mount Pleasant Lady Vikings after the initial quarter of play.

Both teams found their footing in the second quarter, with Southmoreland scoring 16 to Mount Pleasant's 10, carrying a 22-12 advantage into halftime. Delaynie Morvosh and Gracie Spadaro each scored 6 points in the second quarter for the Scotties while Tiffany Zelmore added 6 for the Vikings.

Southmoreland broke it open in the third quarter with a 13-4 scoring advantage to open their lead to 35-16 going into the final frame. The Scotties went 9-out-of-10 from the free throw line in the third, combined with a pair of field goals.

Olivia Cernuto scored 6 of Southmoreland's 11 points in the final quarter, as Mount Pleasant added 8 to their total, and the Lady Scotties claimed bragging rights and remained unbeaten with a 46-24 victory.

Southmoreland was led by Olivia Cernuto with a game-high 14 points, followed by Delaynie Morvosh and Gracie Spadaro with 12 each. Mount Pleasant was led by Tiffany Zelmore with 12 points.

Southmoreland (3-0, 2-0) is back in action Friday with a non-conference road trip to Thomas Jefferson. Following a day to recover from their first loss, Mount Pleasant (3-1, 1-1) hosts Laurel Highlands in a noon matinee on Saturday 1/16.