CONCORDIA, Kan. – McPherson High School Boys Basketball is heading to the State Tournament for a now State Record 62nd time in school history, following an overtime road victory over Concordia, 73-66, on Saturday, March 7, in the Sub-State Final.
Senior Jett Pyle‘s 35 points, a new career-high, led McPherson to the thrilling victory, even after trailing by multiple possessions in the final two minutes. Pyle scored 27 of his points in the second half, plus overtime, who hit two game-tying free throws in the end of regulation and made a clutch, off-balance jumpshot in overtime to help the Bullpups pull away.
What an unbelievable game for the @MHSBullpups Boys, defeating Concordia in overtime, 73-66.
The play of the game went to this floater by Jett Pyle (@PyleJett) to put McPherson up by 5 in OT. He finished with a career-high 35.
McPherson is heading to the State Quarterfinal. pic.twitter.com/VxE8i9OZFs
— Lane Gillespie (@LaneGillPxP) March 8, 2026
McPherson controlled most of the first quarter, leading 21-13 following a half-court buzzer-beater by Cole Cooper. The eight-point lead would end up being the largest of the game for McPherson, as Concordia cut into the deficit, taking the lead before Pyle converted on a layup to put McPherson up 32-31 at halftime.
Concordia then caught fire from distance in the second half, making 6 out of their 9 three-point shots in the second half, taking a four-point lead, 62-58, with less than two minutes remaining. However, McPherson stormed back, converting at the free-throw line while capitalizing on missed free-throws on the other end, forcing the game to be tied at 64 at the end of regulation, sending the game to overtime.
The game was McPherson’s first overtime game of the season, but the Bullpups scored the first five points of OT, outscoring Concordia 9-2 in the extra frame to pull away with the win.
McPherson High School Boys Basketball is heading to the State Tournament to the 62nd time in school history, breaking a long-time record set by KC-Wyandotte for the most State Tournament appearances by any team in any class in Kansas. McPherson already has the state record for the most Final Fours (41), and the second-most State Titles (15).
Concordia’s season ends at 18-5, one of their best seasons in recent history under second-year head coach Shane Traughber. They were led by sophomore Ayden Krier‘s and junior Ian Loudermilk‘s 17 points apiece.
McPherson improves to 16-9, earning the No. 7 seed in the State Tournament. They will play in the State Quarterfinal on Wednesday, March 11 against the unbeaten, No. 2 seed Atchison, who defeated Topeka-Hayden 68-67 in the Sub-State Final. The game time and location will be determined on Sunday, March 8. The State Semifinal, Third-Place Game, and Championship will be held at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
CLICK HERE to view the final 4A West Sub-State bracket.
CLICK HERE to view the 4A State Tournament bracket.
SCORING BREAKDOWN
McPherson: 21-11-16-16-9 — 73
Concordia: 13-18-14-19-2 — 66
McPherson:
- Team: 24 Made FG, 5 Made 3PT, 20/27 FT
- Individual: Pyle – 35 (11 FG, 2 3PT, 11/13 FT), Malm – 10 (3 FG, 4-8 FT), Ingels – 8 (4 FG), Strathman – 7 (3 FG, 1 3PT), Cooper – 7 (1 3PT, 4/4 FT), Harrison – 5 (2 FG, 1 3PT), Becker – 1 (1/2 FT).
Concordia:
- Team: 25 Made FG, 9 Made 3PT, 7/16 FT
- Individual: Loudermilk – 17 (7 FG, 3/7 FT), Krier – 17 (6 FG, 5 3PT), Irigoyen – 10 (4 FG, 2/2 FT), Parker – 10 (4 FG, 2/5 FT), Richard – 6 (2 3PT, 0/2 FT), G. Farha – 6 (2 3PT).
