FORT MADISON - The Bloodhound boys' basketball team warmed for the first time in 2023 Friday night and then kind of disappeared for three quarters.
But it was the fourth quarter that brought the Hound faithful to their feet at the Hound Dome as Fort Madison staged a furious rally outscoring Mt. Pleasant 29-10 in the final eight minutes, only to lose by one point 59-58 to the Panthers.
Junior Carson Rashid fired in 11 points in the final 1:53, with the his final three coming on a leaning three from about 22 feet that cleaned the net as time expired.
Rashid leaned into Mt. Pleasant's Nate Stroud who came out to contest the shot on the way down the floor, but no whistle sounded as the shot went in and the buzzer sounded.
Rashid also banked in a 3 with 9.9 seconds left with Panthers in his face to cut the lead to 58-55.
Some full court pressure looked to have created a turnover, but the Hounds were whistled for a contact foul in a scrum for the ball. Aaiden Ashton made one and missed one at the other end on the bonus free throws and Rashid raced the other way for the buzzer beater.
Fort Madison Head Coach Ryan Wilson said he was proud of the comeback, but said the Hounds have to stay out of those positions.
"We just need the guys to realize the situation, right? It's easier to play hard with urgency when you're getting your (butts) kicked," he said.
"I hope they learn how hard they can play and need to play, and go forward."
Fort Madison trailed by as much as 21 several times through the third period before mounting the comeback.
Mt. Pleasant was hot from the field, converting six three-pointers in the first half. But the Hounds' defense stepped up in the second half, holding the Panthers to just six buckets from the field including one 3-ball.
Wilson said they didn't make any real adjustments but just talked awareness of the Panthers' perimeter shooting.
"We didn't make any adjustments. We knew they hit six threes in the first half and we wanted to take that away. We slapped the press on late and got a few turnovers to give ourselves a chance," Wilson said.
He said he didn't think the slow start had anything to do with the holiday break.
"We practiced and scrimmaged and did some good things. A couple of our guys just looked scared - like they didn't want to be on the floor. You could see it," he said.
"But in the second half our guards got to the basket, we spread some things out, and we attacked better.
"We committed those turnovers in the first quarter and we shut down. Our guys just have to be mentally better, this isn't just a physical game. You're gonna make mistakes. Other than Nathanial and Aiden, we're gonna have everyone back next year. So live through it, work through it, and turn the page."
The Hounds quickly turn that page as Central Lee comes to town for a Saturday late afternoon girls'/boys' doubleheader.
Hunter Cresswell led Fort Madison with 15 points, followed by Rashid's 14. Dear had 13 while Nolan Guzman and Aiden Boyer each chipped in with five for the 2-5 Bloodhounds.
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