Schuck on a Truck: Brewer, Tigers enjoy epic season, leading to Player of the Year honors

CANTON, Mo. — Following his team’s Class 2 state championship victory over Canton, Eugene boys basketball coach Brian Wilde suggested Canton senior forward Preston Brewer should be the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Class 2 Player of the Year. How prohetic. The 6-foot-8 Brewer, who led the Tigers to their state runner-up finish, which was the…

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‘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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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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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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Crim: Tigers head to loaded Class 2 final four at Mizzou Arena looking to ‘make a name for ourselves’

The Canton boys basketball team's postgame celebration following last Friday's Class 2 state quarterfinal victory over Harrisburg was filled with emotion as the Tigers earned the third trip to the final four in program history. | Photo courtesy Brittany Welker

CANTON, Mo. — After accepting congratulatory handshakes and hugs and posing for pictures with teammates and fans, Preston Brewer finally felt the enormity of the moment. While trying to describe the physical pounding he took from relentless Harrisburg defenders for 32 minutes in Friday night’s Missouri Class 2 quarterfinal victory on his home court, he…

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‘We get to practice tomorrow’: Canton fends off Harrisburg to reach Class 2 final four

Canton senior forward Preston Brewer, right, runs to join his team in celebration after the Tigers beat Harrisburg 65-60 Friday in the Class 2 state quarterfinals in Canton, Mo. | Photo courtesy Brittany Welker

CANTON, Mo. — The Harrisburg boys basketball team was determined Preston Brewer would not beat it Friday night in the quarterfinals of the Missouri Class 2 state tournament. So, Kaden Oliver and Drew Gottman stepped up to keep Canton’s magical season alive. Oliver buried four of his five 3-pointers in the second half — all…

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‘I wouldn’t want to guard him’: Length, skill and humble work ethic make Canton’s Brewer tough to defend

Canton senior forward Preston Brewer is averaging more than 24 points and 10 rebounds per game this season. | Shane Hulsey photo

CANTON, Mo. — A humble beast. Kaden Oliver, a junior guard on the Canton boys basketball team, gave that moniker to Preston Brewer, the Tigers’ 6-foot-8 senior forward and a friend of Oliver’s for 10 years. “He’s probably the most humble guy I’ve ever met in my life,” Oliver said. “He’s very hard-working, takes criticism…

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Battle of big men tips in Keokuk’s favor as supporting cast helps Chiefs win tourney title

Canton senior forward Preston Brewer works his way to the basket during Saturday's Highland Tournament championship game against Keokuk in Lewistown, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Jaxon Clark and Preston Brewer were the marquee names heading into the finals of the 53rd Highland boys basketball tournament. And neither disappointed. Clark, however, benefitted from a deeper supporting cast in helping Keokuk (Iowa) turn back Canton 59-52 before a crowd of about 575 Saturday afternoon patrons. Clark, a 6-foot-10 junior…

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Technically speaking, Tigers take advantage of jumpstart to earn spot in Highland tourney title tilt

Canton's Preston Brewer, center, goes up to block a shot by Palmyra's Ryan McKinney, right, during Thursday's semifinal of the 53rd Highland Tournament in Lewistown, Mo. | Photo courtesy Alicia Deming

LEWISTOWN, Mo. — Canton’s Preston Brewer walked calmly to the free-throw line and swished four foul shots. Before the game had even started. The Canton boys basketball team had been awarded the four free throws for technical fouls assessed to Palmyra for pregame dunking, which is forbidden in high school games in most states. Those…

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McKinney’s deflection preserves victory after Panthers storm back in fourth quarter

Palmyra sophomore guard Pierce White, right, celebrates with a fan following the Panthers' 64-62 victory over Canton on Friday night in Canton, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

CANTON, Mo. — Ryan McKinney knew what was coming. He just had to stop it. With a second remaining in regulation and the Palmyra boys basketball team leading Canton 64-62, the Tigers were inbounding from under the Panthers’ basket in need of a basket to extend the game. Looming large above the pack in front…

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Alspaw, Brewer give Tigers edge in district championship victory over Rams

The Canton boys basketball team celebrates its Class 2 District 6 championship after beating Schuyler County 65-46 on Saturday in Queen City, Mo. | Submitted photo

QUEEN CITY, Mo. — Preston Brewer’s 6-foot-7 presence in the lane becomes a focal point for every opponent the Canton boys basketball team faces. Chris Alspaw’s job is to alleviate some of that pressure and force teams to extend their defense. Saturday, Alspaw and Brewer did their duties to perfection. Alspaw softened Schuyler County’s defense…

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