Hancock, Herculaneum, McKinley, and St. Pius Advance to Semis of Bruce Thomas Tournament

(HERCULANEUM) The 6th Annual Bruce Thomas Boys Basketball Tournament got started on Monday with the quarterfinal round on AM 1400 KJFF.

The first of four games saw top-seed Hancock blow by the eight-seed Grandview by a final of 92-67. The Eagles were actually within single digits in the fourth quarter before a barrage by the Tigers. Junior Adrian Evans led the surge, scoring all 22 of his points in the second half.

Senior Sam Richardson had 33 points to lead Hancock. He was the Applebee’s of Farmington Player of the Game. Tigers head coach Dan Knox says the late run was key.

Grandview senior Zach Perren led the Eagles with 29 points. Our second game of the night featured a close game between the hosting 4-seed Herculaneum and 5-seed Dupo. Herky was able to pull away late and win 56-49 on the strength of Jordan Duncan.

Duncan had a team-leading 20 points. Blackcats head coach Jason Jarvis talks about the performance of his senior.

With the win, Herculaneum will get Hancock in the semifinal round on Wednesday at 7. The next contest saw 6-seed Metro and 3-seed McKinley face off. The Goldbugs were outscored 15-13 in the first, but countered in the second to outscore Metro 15-4. The frame was capped off by a buzzer-beater.

McKinley went on to control the rest of the game, winning 65-39. Their head coach Drew Simmons thought they played much better than last Friday when they only beat Metro by five points and surrendered 41 points to top player Shaun Isom.

Isom was held to 7 points for Metro. Leading for McKinley was Aaric Norman with 22 points. Our final game of the night was played between 7-seed Northwest and 2-seed St. Pius. Despite Northwest’s best effort, the Lancers prevailed 70-57. Josh Ruble played a major role in the Lancers getting off to a great start in the 3rd quarter.

With the seconds ticking away late in the game, Riley Naeger of St. Pius gave the fans something to remember.

St. Pius head coach Chris Miller praises the Lions for their effort and addresses the resolve that his guys showed in the win.

Naeger finished with 33 points and Josh Ruble had 14. St. Pius advances to the semifinals to face McKinley on Wednesday at 8:30. Coverage of the 6th Annual Bruce Thomas Tournament will get underway at 6:45 on AM 1400 KJFF with the first semifinal between Hancock and Herculaneum.

Hancock 92 Grandview 67 Game Audio