SALINA, Kan. – The McPherson High School Bullpup Boys Basketball team wins their 14th state title in team history in thrilling, come-from-behind fashion in overtime, defeating Hugoton 65-59.
Both the Bullpups and the Eagles struggled to score the ball in the first half, with Hugoton boasting a 20-17 halftime lead. The Bullpups would then get shots to start falling in the third quarter and took a 36-30 lead in the early 4th.
However, Hugoton would catch fire and McPherson would get cold, with the Eagles going on a 17-0 run, taking a 47-36 lead with 3:30 remaining. The Bullpups would then try to mount the comeback, making clutch shot after clutch shot. Big shots from Cory Muehler and Jett Pyle towards the end of the 4th, as well as clutch free throws, would put the Bullpups within three points with 28 seconds left.
In the dying seconds of the fourth quarter, Cory Muehler put up a three to tie the game. It would miss short, but he would be fouled, putting him at the free throw line to try to tie the game. He would hit all three free throws, tying the game at 55. Hugoton would miss the potential game-winner, sending the game to overtime.
McPherson took an early three point lead after a Gabe Pyle three in the corner, which happened to be the only field goal made by McPherson in overtime (on just two attempts, mind you). Hugoton would follow with a three of their own to tie the game, which happened to be their only made field goal of overtime. The teams would then play the free throw game, which McPherson would win on a landslide, hitting 7 of 14 free throws in OT. Hugoton only hit 1 of 6 in the extra period.
The Bullpups would eventually hang on, winning their 14th state championship in school history, their first since 2015, and Kurt Kinnamon’s 7th as the head coach at McPherson High School.
Cory Muehler led all scorers 19 points, shooting 5-15 on the floor but 7-8 on free throws. Gabe Pyle ended with 17 points and Kyden Thompson had 10. Owen and Jett Pyle each had 6 points, Ian Razak had 3 and Hayden Hoxie finished with 1.
The Bullpups end the season 25-0, making them the first undefeated champions in 4A since accomplishing the same feat in 2015.
