Nate Schneider
Sports Scene
Dan Schell envisioned maybe somewhere between five and eight total wins this season.
No need to be greedy when playing in the top-notch Saginaw Valley League and having graduated a pair of Class A All-State honorable mention players in Noah Ingram and Obie Ricumstrict from the 2016-17 roster.
The Oilers came into this campaign with some varsity experience, but it is a roster loaded with juniors and sophomores that had yet to have any experience being go-to difference makers at the varsity level.
So much for tempered expectations.
Mount Pleasant has roared out of the gates with an undefeated 7-0 record, the latest win coming on Jan. 19 with a 72-47 home win over Bay City Central. The Oilers played at Midland Dow, a team it has already defeated on their home court 65-43, on Jan. 23 in a game that took place after print deadline.
“This has definitely surprised me,” Mount Pleasant head coach Dan Schell said. “I knew we were really young. But give credit to the kids, they’ve worked their tails off in the offseason. Everyone who didn’t play football didn’t miss a day of weight room. They’ve worked on their games and have all gotten substantially better. That’s a huge difference.”
The Oilers have only played two games decided by single digits, defeating Midland 54-52 and following that up with a a 65-57 triumph over Flint Powers.
A dramatic finish in the contest against the rival Chemics saw sophomore Mason Wojtusik scored the final two of his game-best 28 points as time expired as he drained a jumper from the free throw line to send Mount Pleasant to the win.
Wojtusik is leading the Oilers in scoring at 21 points per.
“He was a role player last year as a freshman averaging maybe four or five points per game,” Schell said of Wojtusik. “He made a considerable jump in the offseason, knowing he’d have a very important role this year. He’s also probably leading us in rebounding, so numbers-wise he’s had a huge impact.”
Mount Pleasant has also received a big boost from the additions of the Ostrowsky brothers, junior forward Jackson and sophomore point guard Joe. Their father, Chris, is the offensive coordinator for the Central Michigan football team.
“We have a lot of young contributors who will only get better,” Schell said. “The schedule gets tougher from here on out with some very quality Saginaw Valley League opponents, but we’re looking forward to those tests.”