Eureka Wins the 63rd Annual Gene Steighorst Tournament Over Hillsboro; Central Claims 3rd Place

(HILLSBORO) The Eureka Wildcats are first-time champions of the 63rd Annual Gene Steighorst Tournament after holding off the top-seeded Hillsboro Hawks, 57-54, Saturday night on KJFF. Hillsboro’s Michael Brewer gave the Hawks a chance late in the game by creating a turnover with the team down 55-54.

Jhalon Asher-Sanders converted two free throws shortly thereafter to extend the Wildcats lead to 57-54. Then Hillsboro’s Ben Lampkins and Michael Brewer each had chances to force the game into overtime in the final 8 seconds, but couldn’t quite pull it off.

Eureka ends Hillsboro’s bid for a Gene Steighorst three-peat behind 24 points from Avery Taggart. Hillsboro’s Michael Brewer led the Hawks in points with 23.

The 3rd place game went to the 2-seed Central Rebels after a 73-65 win over 4-seed Windsor. The game was tied at 15 at the end of the first quarter before a string of 7 three-pointers in the 2nd, including this one from senior guard Jake Casey.