Ironton, Mo. (KFMO) - The South Iron Panthers have picked up their 7th straight Arcadia Valley Thanksgiving Tournament championship, defeating the West County Bulldogs in the final 53-52.
South Iron (3-0) didn't have the easiest path this year. The Bulldogs (2-1) jumped onto the Panthers early, taking a 10 point lead at the half, 29-19. South Iron then spent much of the second half making up that deficit, finally doing so early in the fourth quarter.
Despite the scales tipping back the other way, West County kept pace until the very end. Trailing 53-50 with about 10 seconds to play, the Bulldogs couldn't find a 3-pointer, instead having to settle for a layup that South Iron let them have. The clock expired, giving South Iron a 53-52 victory.
Senior Ty Harlow led South Iron in scoring with 19 points, while the Bulldogs were led by Levi Hale with 18.
In the 3rd place game, Fredericktown survived in overtime, defeating Lesterville 61-58. The Blackcats were led by Tucker Reutzel's 19 points, while the Bearcats' Tyson Boyer recorded 24.