The Canton Tigers ended Harrisburg’s season and advanced to their first Show Me Showdown in a decade with a 65-60 win Friday.
It came down to the final minute.
Harrisburg had a couple costly turnovers after that bucket and Canton made enough free throws to ice the game.
Canton led for much of the first half, building a lead as high as eight in the second quarter, but Harrisburg cut the deficit to two at 30-28 by halftime. The Bulldogs went ahead in the third quarter and led 50-49 at the conclusion of it. Canton’s Kaden Oliver played a huge role in keeping the Tigers in it.
Harrisburg extended its lead early in the fourth.
But again, Oliver provided an answer.
Oliver finished with 25 points, five threes and went eight-for-eight from the free throw line to be named the Freeman Financial and Insurance Outstanding Player of the Game. Preston Brewer led Canton with 26.
Trace Combs had 30 points in his final game as a Harrisburg Bulldog.
Harrisburg’s season ends at 24-6. Canton plays Puxico in the state semifinals Wednesday night at 6.
Canton coach Dalton Armontrout Postgame:
Harrisburg coach Kyle Fisher Postgame:
