The bracket is finished and the All-Tournament team is chosen.  The 17^th Saints Classic has ended after three days.

            Bishop Miege continued their undefeated season with the tournament title with a 78-57 win over Shawnee Mission Northwest.  Washburn-Rural took third place with a 56-41 win over Saint Thomas Aquinas.  Mill Valley finished fifth winning 63-51 over Shawnee Mission South.  Bishop Carroll beat Northeast-KCMO 83-47.

1st Bishop-Miege 78                2^nd Shawnee Mission Northwest 57

The Stags were led early by Junior Rodney Givens who scored 14 of the team’s 21 points in the first quarter on four 3-pointers, he finished with 18.  Givens was named to the tournament all-star team.  After that however, Junior Trevor Releford who was named tournament MVP went on fire and scored 31 points in the rest of the game.  They kept a solid lead and were in sync as a team with assists and well executed fast breaks.

The Cougars moved quickly, but fell behind early trailing 21-17 in the first and 43-26 by the half.  Ryan Arel who had led the team in each of the first two teams was held to a tournament low, but teammates Steve Carver and AJ Spencer stepped up finishing with 18 and 15 points respectively.  Ryan Arel was named to the all tournament team.  Senior Connor Chmielewski was given the Mr. Hustle award for the tournament.

3^rd Washburn-Rural 56 4^th Saint Thomas Aquinas 41   

The Junior Blues had succeeded with a solid defensive front playing man-to-man and triple teaming the Saints down low.  After being tied at 24 at the half, Washburn-Rural took the lead.  Their attack was led by Senior Bobby Chipman’s 20 points.  He was also placed on the All-Tournament team.  Senior Brett Ash also contributed 18 points.

The Saints came out with a 9-3 run to start the game.  They were led by Junior Tommy Harrison.  The team played hard, but the shots would not fall in the 4^th quarter and they were held to only five points.  The guys are having some trouble so far, but still have a 2-1 record in the EKL.   

5^th Mill Valley 63                      6^th Shawnee Mission South 51

Both teams had a slow start, but Mill Valley popped out to an early lead, the team was led by 14 points from Sophomore Jonathan Anackwe.  He had a great game with blocks and fast-break lay-ups. 

The Raiders were once again led by Junior Will Spradling who finished with 17 points.  He finished in 1^st place in the 3-point contest for the second year in a row.  He was also named to the All-Tournament team. 

7^th Bishop Carroll 83                8^th Northeast-KCMO 47

The Golden Eagles were led by football star Blake Bell who capped off his 20 point effort with a monster dunk towards the end of the game.  They were able to stop Northeast in the lane with their considerably taller line-up.  They were impressive on fast breaks and their 3-2 defense was restrictive. 

 Northeast had a hard time in the tournament, but have one of the most talented guards that I have seen.  I know that I have praised him in the other days, but today he scored 34 of his team’s 47.  He found ways to tear through the lane, and then score easily.  He was rightfully named to the All-Tournament team as well.

Overall, it was a great tournament and it was fun to watch.  The hospitality room was not too shabby either.  I hope everyone who went enjoyed it, and good luck to each team in the remainder of their season.