Canton Falls Short of Championship, But Leaves a Legacy

The Canton Tigers finished their season, but it wasn’t the result they had hoped for. The Eugene Eagles won their first-ever state title, defeating the Tigers 72-61. The game was a thrilling back-and-forth battle, with both teams showcasing strong shooting while struggling defensively at times. However, by the end of the night, it was a game truly worthy of being called a championship matchup.

First Quarter

The Tigers won the tipoff, followed by Kaden Oliver sinking a three-pointer after two consecutive fouls on Eugene to start the game. The Eagles quickly responded, tying the game after a shooting foul sent Ethan Wunderlich to the free-throw line. The Eagles then went on a five-point run before the Tigers managed to answer back. The scoring continued to go back and forth, and the first quarter ended with a buzzer-beating two-pointer by Isaac Bush, giving the Eagles a 16-14 lead.

Second Quarter

The second quarter saw the Tigers’ biggest run of the night as they put together a seven-point surge. However, the Eagles were determined to keep pace. Both teams fought hard for the halftime lead, and Eugene pulled ahead by five points as they headed to the locker room up 37-32. Justice Allen led the Eagles with 20 first-half points, while Preston Brewer had nine for the Tigers.

Third Quarter

Returning for the second half, the Tigers stepped up their defensive game in the third quarter, holding Eugene to just eight points. Justice Allen, who had been dominant in the first half, was held scoreless. Meanwhile, the Tigers put up 17 points of their own, heading into the fourth quarter with a 49-45 lead.

Fourth Quarter

However, the fourth quarter saw all of Canton’s momentum fade away. Four straight fouls in the first two minutes put the Tigers in a tough spot, and the Eagles took full advantage. Eugene went on a game-high 12-point run in the final two minutes, watching the clock wind down as they secured their historic victory. Despite the loss, the Tigers held their heads high, knowing they had made history just by reaching the championship game. They also felt the unwavering support of their community, as a large Canton fan section cheered them on at the end of the game.

The Eugene Eagles were led by senior Justice Allen, who finished with 31 points, one assist, and four rebounds. Senior Isaac Bush followed with 23 points. The Eagles capped off their season with a 28-4 record, claiming the MSHSAA Class 2 State Championship.

The Tigers were led by Preston Brewer, who scored 30 points in the championship game. Brewer finished the season with an impressive 721 points. Junior Kaden Oliver contributed 10 points in the final matchup. The Tigers wrapped up their season with a 25-6 record, earning the MSHSAA Class 2 second-place finish.

After the game, Canton head coach Armontrout reflected on the tough loss:

“Those couple possessions keep coming back to me. Tough way to lose, tough loss, but proud of the guys. They put on a heck of a season, and we’ll get back to work next year.”

Following the game, I had the chance to speak with several players about what’s next for them. Senior Tyler Frazier was ready to hit the greens for his final high school golf season. Senior Preston Brewer said he would be at baseball practice on Monday and was excited to begin his collegiate career at Quincy University. Junior Kaden Oliver was also eager to transition into baseball season.

Words from the Writer

I want to congratulate Canton on an incredible and hard-fought season. While it wasn’t the outcome they wanted, they still have so much to be proud of, becoming the first basketball team in Canton’s history to reach the state championship game. Throughout the season and their careers, these players showed heart and determination. Congratulations to the seniors: Brett Ehrenreich, Bryce Baker, Bleu Taylor, Chris Alspaw, Preston Brewer, and Tyler Frazier.

This was an amazing experience, and I took every second I could in knowing that this opportunity doesn’t come around often. Getting to work with these amazing athletes. Also getting to work with the best media our area has to offer. They have filled me with as much wisdom as I can take in. I want to thank all the parents and players for all the feedback on the coverage. This was an incredible 2024-25 basketball season and I can’t wait for the future.

Ellie Goehl Photo Gallery

Thanks again to Ellie Goehl for joining me on this journey and taking photo’s while I focus on video content that will be worked on when I get back home. She is an amazing photographer and has been a big help.