Mustangs Thrill Before Joplin Defeat

Joplin broke open a close game in the fourth quarter to defeat the McDonald County eighth-grade boys basketball team 56-37 in the championship game of the Joplin Eighth Grade Boys Basketball Tournament held Jan. 6 at Joplin South Middle School.

The Eagles led by four points at halftime and seven at the end of three quarters before outscoring the Mustangs by 12 points in the final quarter.

Bo Leach scored 12 points, eight in the first quarter, to lead McDonald County. Cole Martin added seven points, followed by Matthew Mora and Garrett Gricks with six each, Pierce Harmon four and Junior Eliam two.

McDonald County advanced to the championship game with a thrilling 34-32 win over Frontenac to open the tournament.

The Mustangs trailed late before Leach drove the length of the floor for a layup and a foul on consecutive possessions to lift McDonald County to the win. Leach tied the game at 32-32 with his first layup and free throw with 50 seconds remaining. He then put McDonald County ahead with 2.2 seconds left with his second consecutive floor-length drive with 2.2 seconds left.

McDonald County was led by Harmon with 14 points, followed by Leach with seven points, Eliam five, Gricks four, Martin three and Mora one.

McDonald County was at Neosho on Jan. 8 before opening Big 8 Conference play on Jan. 9 at East Newton. The Mustangs are at Mount Vernon on Jan. 12 before hosting Joplin on Jan. 18 in their home opener. Game time is 5:30 p.m.