BACK IN THE WIN COLUMN; Balanced Effort Secures 59–48 Win Over Eagles
Canton, MO – For the first time since their run to the Class 2 State Title Game, the Canton Tigers returned to the court and opened their season with a 59-48 win over the Knox County Eagles. Canton came out strong, jumping ahead 13-6 after the first quarter.
Knox County responded in the second, outscoring the Tigers 16-8 to take a 22-21 lead into halftime.
“We were getting turnovers and stops,” Coach Dalton Armontrout said. “We just couldn’t convert on the offensive end and were missing layups. That was the main focus—get to the rack and turn the defense into offense.”
Canton answered that challenge in the third quarter, erupting for 19 points behind a seven-point effort from Ian Bubridge. The Tigers also tightened up defensively, holding the Eagles to 12. Canton duplicated the surge in the fourth, putting up another 19 points and closing out the 59-48 season-opening win.
Senior Kaden Oliver led the Tigers with 18 points, followed by freshman Bryson Brewer with 10.
“He’s been doing a tremendous job this year,” Armontrout said of Oliver. “He stepped into a leadership role this year. He had an excellent game with 18 points and 17 rebounds, and he had a double-double. High basketball IQ—he knows where the ball is going, where to put it, and gets guys open. We’re gonna rely on him scoring.”
The Tigers now turn their attention to the Tri-Rivers Classic Tournament at Schuyler County. Canton holds the No. 2 seed and will open tournament play against Brookfield on December 2nd.
POINTS LEADERS
Canton Tigers: 13 • 8 • 19 • 19
Kaden Oliver — 18
Bryson Brewer — 10
Blake Sparrow — 9
Knox County Eagles: 6 • 16 • 12 • 14
Cooper Clair — 14
Carrsen Hayes — 14
Patrick Clark — 8
