McPHERSON, Kan. – McPherson High School boys basketball played in the 7th Place Game in the McPherson Invitational Tournament (MIT) on Thursday, Jan. 29, defeating Lawrence Free State 65-51.
It was the first time in the MIT’s 62-year history that McPherson had ever played for seventh place, following an 81-51 loss to Blue Valley and a 78-51 setback to St. James Academy. Following the first two rounds, McPherson defeated El Dorado on Tuesday, using the momentum to defeat the Firebirds.
McPherson used a strong perimeter defense to limit key shooters fro Free State. Offensively, they drew 21 fouls, helping them have a spectacular 21/21 mark at the free-throw line. The team shot 21/40 on the floor, limiting Free State to 40% shooting.
Jett Pyle led the Bullpups with 25 points, shooting 6/13 on the floor and a perfect 11/11 at the charity stripe. Eli Reasoner finished with 20 points and a team-high 6 rebounds.
Reasoner finished with 52 total points in the three games of the McPherson Invitational Tournament, the most by a McPherson freshman and the 4th-most by any freshman in the tournament’s 62-year history. He joins the likes of former KU and Wichita State Men’s Basketball player Connor Frankamp, former member of the “Dunk City” Florida Gulf Coast 2013 team Brett Comer, and former UNLV and Fordham star Jackie Johnson III in the top four.
The win for the Bullpups moves them to 8-7 on the season. They’ll face the #1 team in 3A, Wichita Collegiate, on the road on Tuesday, Feb. 3. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
SCORING BREAKDOWN:
McPherson: 12-21-18-14
Free State: 11-18-11-11
McPherson: Pyle – 25, Reasoner – 20, Cooper – 8, Becker – 6, Strathman – 4, Harrison – 2.
Free State: Nagel – 21, DeBruin – 12, McDaniel – 10, Prescott – 3, Clock – 3, Barrett – 2.
