Mount Pleasant basketball takes the double-header sweep over Marshall
Published 11:00 am Monday, December 29, 2025
MARSHALL – Mount Pleasant came to Marshall and took wins in both the boys and girls basketball games.
Both games were some of the tightest battles of the season in district play with Mount Pleasant edging out the wins.
BOYS
Mount Pleasant defeated Marshall 46-43 in a game that ended up as a fourth quarter match of keepaway.
Ernest Crookshank led the way with a double-double of 19 points, 12 rebounds, a steal and a block while shooting 7-9 from the field and 5-7 from the free throw line. Zy Willie had 11 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal. Jaiden Turner had three points, four rebounds and six assists. Cadarius Hicks finished with seven points, four rebounds, four assists and one steal.
The game was tight throughout the afternoon.
Willie led Marshall with four points in the first quarter with Marshall leading 10-7.
Marshall and Mount Pleasant each scored 12 in the second quarter. Marshall’s points came courtesy of six points from both Willie and Crookshank. Heading into the locker room, they were tied up at 22 a piece.
Marshall’s ball movement was a lot more fluid in the third quarter. They continued to pound the ball down low to Crookshank, who took advantage of his length and size for nine points including a converted and-one.
Hicks sank a deep three and a layup for five in the quarter. Turner added two while CJ Paul and Willie each had one. Mount Pleasant led 42-41 heading into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter in a tight game can go either two ways. The first is playing keepaway from the defender to chew the clock and take good and patient shots and the second is continuing to play with high intensity.
With no shot clock in Texas high school basketball, both squads chose the latter.
Marshall’s only points in the quarter came with a dunk from Crookshank. There were high percentage shots taken when Mount Pleasant upped the pressure but they just wouldn’t fall.
Mount Pleasant’s four points in the quarter were enough to seal the 46-43 victory over Marshall.
In the small sample of district play so far, neither Hallsville nor Texas High were able to put over 30 points on Mount Pleasant with the Bobcats scoring 29 and the Tigers scoring 28. Marshall’s ability to put up 43 against a stellar defense like Mount Pleasant is a promising sign for the Mavericks squad as district play progresses.
“Our last two district games have been nailbiters. Our kids fought hard. We had opportunities to make a run, some shots, make plays and get rebounds but time ran out. We got good looks and they just didn’t go down for us. We still have 12 district games left and we’re going to learn from this game. We’ve grown so much which has allowed us to show resiliency in these tight games,” said Coach Dramaine Boyd.
GIRLS
Mount Pleasant led every quarter en-route to their 64-54 win over Marshall.
Ta’Heara Culberson had nine points and one rebound off the bench. Amiria Cooper had eight points, three assists and one rebound. Nia Newhouse had three points, six rebounds and one assist. Arielle Sparks had five points. Calleigh Johnson had six points, two rebounds and three assists. Jamia Rusk led Marshall with 19 points, three rebounds and two assists.