No. 1 (3A) Mount Vernon has faced three No. 1 teams during the month of January.
They lost to the No. 1 team in Class 4A, Clear Creek Amana, beat the former No. 1 team in 3A, Solon, and this past Thursday, Jan. 25, lost on the road at Class 1A No. 1, North Linn, 60-48.
“We knew this would be a challenge,” Mount Vernon Coach Nate Sanderson said. “Especially after handing them their only regular-season loss last year.”
The Lynx went on a 14-0 run in the second quarter, and the Mustangs trailed 31-26 at halftime.
North Linn hit 13 of 26 from the arc, including several late daggers.
“They responded to every push with an answer of their own,” Sanderson said.
Chloe Meester had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Courtney Franck added 12 points.
Despite the loss, Sanderson is happy the schedule is so challenging.
“Nights like this are fun to be part of and they are good for girls basketball,” he said.
Mount Vernon (16-2) also mixed in a 63-35 win over Center Point-Urbana on Tuesday, Jan. 23, and a 58-20 win at Independence on Friday, Jan. 26.
While there are no No. 1 teams on the schedule, at present, there are plenty of ranked teams. Mount Vernon travels to No. 11 (4A) Marion on Tuesday, Jan. 30, and then hosts No. 5 Solon on Friday, Feb. 2. They wrap up the regular season at No. 14 West Delaware on Feb. 6.