Mount Vernon advances to State on Kutcher game-winner
[player_tooltip player_id="530135" first="Keaton" last="Kutcher"] had a game-high 24 points, including the game-winning 3, to send Mount Vernon to State CEDAR RAPIDS — Mount Vernon escaped an upset bid from Central DeWitt in the second half of the 3A substate final…
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Continue ReadingCEDAR RAPIDS — Mount Vernon escaped an upset bid from Central DeWitt in the second half of the 3A substate final doubleheader on Monday night, using a Keaton Kutcher Keaton Kutcher 6'2" | SG Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA 3 to win 52-50, advancing to next week’s state tournament.
The Mustangs grabbed control of a tight game late in the first half, using a 13-4 run to take a 10-point, 28-18, lead into the break. They led 40-33 after three quarters, then things started to get interesting.
Star guard Keaton Kutcher Keaton Kutcher 6'2" | SG Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA picked up his fourth foul about midway through the quarter, with the Mustangs up by 6. Coach Ed Timm went offense for defense with him as much as he could in the final few minutes, and he went to the line for a 1-and-1 with 42.2 to play, leading by 3. He split those free throws, giving Mount Vernon a 49-45 lead.
On the ensuing DeWitt possession, Sabers guard Zach Hinkle hit a 3 from the corner. Mount Vernon got the ball past halfcourt then called a timeout with 20.2 to play. DeWitt stole the inbounds and got a bucket from Hinkle, giving the Sabers a 50-49 lead. Kutcher calmly dribbled up the court, rose from the right wing and knocked down a 3 right in Kaiden Muhl’s face to give the ‘Stangs a 52-50 lead with 3.6 seconds to play. DeWitt got off a decent look at the buzzer that would’ve won the game, but it wasn’t close, and Mount Vernon survived a real scare to advance.
Mount Vernon (22-2) was led by Keaton Kutcher Keaton Kutcher 6'2" | SG Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA , who had a game-high 24 points, including the game-winning 3. Noah Erickson Noah Erickson 6'3" | SF Mount Vernon | 2020 State IA chipped in 14 in the win.
Central DeWitt’s season ends with an 18-6 record. The Sabers were led by Tucker Kinney Tucker Kinney 6'4" | SG DeWitt Central | 2020 State IA , who had 23 points and 11 rebounds in his final high school game. Zach Hinkle added 11 and Alex McAleer Alex McAleer 6'6" | SF DeWitt Central | 2020 State IA had 10 in the loss.
Below we take a look at some of the top performers from Mount Vernon’s win.
Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | F |
Central DeWitt | 10 | 8 | 15 | 17 | 50 |
Mount Vernon | 13 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 52 |
Central DeWitt:
Tucker Kinney
Tucker
Kinney
6'4" | SG
DeWitt Central | 2020
State
IA
23, Zach Hinkle 11,
Alex McAleer
Alex
McAleer
6'6" | SF
DeWitt Central | 2020
State
IA
10, Logan Paulsen 4,
Henry Bloom
Henry
Bloom
6'1" | PG
Central DeWitt | 2021
State
IA
2
Mount Vernon:
Keaton Kutcher
Keaton
Kutcher
6'2" | SG
Mount Vernon | 2021
State
IA
24,
Noah Erickson
Noah
Erickson
6'3" | SF
Mount Vernon | 2020
State
IA
14, Derek Jordan 6, Nolan Brand 4, Collin Swantz 2, Kaleb Brand 2
2020 Tucker Kinney Tucker Kinney 6'4" | SG DeWitt Central | 2020 State IA (DeWitt)
In a game featuring a potential Division I guard in Keaton Kutcher Keaton Kutcher 6'2" | SG Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA , the 6-4 senior Kinney was the most dominant player on the floor. The big-bodied guard showed his ability to score from all three levels, showing an effortless stroke from the arc and the ability to get to the rim and use his strength to finish through contact. He was also dominant on the glass, pulling down 11 rebounds to go with his 23 points on 9-18 shooting.
2020 Alex McAleer Alex McAleer 6'6" | SF DeWitt Central | 2020 State IA (DeWitt)
There is a lot of potential in McAleer, a 6-5 wing with good athleticism, length and footwork. He needs to continue to add strength to play at the next level, but there is a lot of skill in his frame. He was looking to be aggressive, and although he had a bit of a rough night shooting the ball, he had a brief period late in the third quarter and early in the fourth where he showed his potential and briefly took over the game, scoring 6 straight points. Finished with 10 points on the night.
2020 Zach Hinkle (DeWitt)
After having a quiet first three quarters, Hinkle came through in the clutch for the Sabers, scoring 9 of his 11 points in the fourth. The 6-1 guard can shoot it from 3 and finishes well at the rim. He’s a smart player who limits mistakes and takes what is given to him.
2021 Keaton Kutcher Keaton Kutcher 6'2" | SG Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA (Mount Vernon)
Ice water in his veins. The 6-0 junior guard made the biggest shot of the season for the Mustangs, and looked incredibly calm while doing so. He was limited in the second half by foul trouble, a number of them coming on block/charge calls that could’ve gone either way, showing that he was looking to be aggressive on the offensive end. He’s a solid passer who sees the floor well, but make no mistake, he’s a scorer first and foremost. He finished with 24 points on 7-17 shooting (2-6 3P) and sent the ‘Stangs to State.
2020 Noah Erickson Noah Erickson 6'3" | SF Mount Vernon | 2020 State IA (Mount Vernon)
A 6-2 slashing wing, Erickson knows what he excels at, and doesn’t go away from it. He’s not much of a shooter and instead looks to attack the rim both in the halfcourt and in transition. He runs the floor really well, filling the lane on the break and finishing at the bucket. He has good length and an ability to finish at odd angles. He finished with 14 points on 6-12 shooting.
2020 Derek Jordan (Mount Vernon)
The 6-8 senior big man is fairly limited offensively, but you can’t teach his size, and he can impact the game on both ends of the floor with his size. He pulled down 9 rebounds, including 4 offensive, and showed some finishing ability around the rim off of offensive rebounds or off of dishes from teammates. He runs the floor fairly well, has soft hands and excellent size.