‘We accomplished something bigger than ourselves’: Tigers give stiff test to top-ranked Eagles but fall short in state title game

The Canton boys basketball team poses with the second-place state trophy after falling 72-61 to Eugene in Thursday night's Class 2 championship game at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Canton boys basketball team was eight minutes away from glory. They just could not keep the monster under the bed long enough. Canton led top-ranked Eugene 49-45 entering the fourth quarter of Thursday’s Class 2 state championship game at Mizzou Arena, but back-to-back impact plays by Eagles senior guard Justice Allen…

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Brewer expresses his appreciation for support from Canton community throughout his career

Canton senior forward Preston Brewer looks to score during Thursday night's Class 2 state championship game against Eugene at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Preston Brewer’s final words were heartfelt. “Thank you, Canton,” he said. That’s how the Canton boys basketball team’s senior all-state forward ended his final interview, which took place in the tunnel looking out into a then-mostly empty Mizzou Arena after Canton’s 72-61 loss to Eugene in Thursday’s Class 2 state championship game.…

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Photo gallery: Canton brings home second-place trophy from Class 2 state tournament

Canton junior Kaden Oliver shows love to the crowd following the Tigers' 72-61 loss to Eugene in the Class 2 state championship game Thursday night at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Canton boys basketball team’s deepest postseason run in program history ended with a state title game appearance Thursday night. The Tigers led Eugene 49-45 heading to the fourth quarter at Mizzou Arena, but the Eagles rallied for a 72-61 victory. The second-place finish marks the third state trophy the Canton boys…

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Large and in charge: Canton’s size advantage spearheads second-half surge, leads to spot in state title game

Canton senior forward Preston Brewer slaps hands with a teammate during the first half of Wednesday night's 65-50 victory over Puxico in the Class 2 state semifinals at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

COLUMBIA, Mo. — How much of an advantage did the Canton boys basketball team have on the interior during Wednesday’s Class 2 semifinal game against Puxico? “A lot,” Tigers coach Dalton Armontrout said. As the game progressed, that edge became more and more apparent. All the Tigers had to do was recognize it. “We did…

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‘We’re not done yet’: Brewer, Tigers remain locked in on mission following semifinal win

Canton's Blake Sparrow, left, and Bleu Taylor hug at the end of the Tigers' 65-50 victory over Puxico in Wednesday's semifinals of the Class 2 state tournament at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Preston Brewer tamed his excitement. As the Canton senior forward exited Wednesday’s Class 2 semifinal game against Puxico for the final time with the Tigers 1:12 away from securing the program’s first ever trip to a state title game, Brewer kept saying to his teammates, “One more.” Brewer did not want to…

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Photo gallery: Canton wins Class 2 state semifinal, will play for first championship in program history

The Canton crowd celebrates the Tigers' 65-50 victory over Puxico in the Class 2 state semifinals Wednesday night at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Canton boys basketball team overcame a third-quarter deficit by dominating the interior in a 65-50 victory over Puxico in Wednesday night’s Class 2 state semifinals at Mizzou Arena. The Tigers shot 61.7 percent from the field and outrebounded the Indians 40-16. The Tigers will face Eugene at 8 p.m. Thursday in…

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Tigers plan to stick to what they know in preparing for Class 2 state final four appearance

Canton boys basketball coach Dalton Armontrout gives instructions during Monday's practice at Charles Field House on the Culver-Stockton College campus as the Tigers prepare to play at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Class 2 state semifinals at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

CANTON, Mo. — Whatever you want to call it — superstition, continuity, routine — it has worked. The Canton boys basketball team hasn’t changed anything about its approach, from the pregame meal to coach Dalton Armontrout’s outfit to the mode of transportation, during its run to the Class 2 state semifinals. “It’s important just to…

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