After a late night loss to Chaminade, the CBC Cadets did not look to travel all the way across the state to fall to Staley. 

And that they didn’t. Despite some heavy deficits, the Cadets battled back on Larry Hughes Jr’s 18 as well as great defensive stops from John Bol, to win, 56-50, in the finale of 810 Varsity Showcase 26 between two of Missouri’s top five Class 6 teams. 

Shortly after halftime, No.3-ranked Staley built its lead to 40-34 off a putback by Cameron Manyawu - whose 6’8 frame was overshadowed by the 7'2 Bol - with 1:18 to go in the third. Hughes answered with a drive and finish to make it just a two-score game. 

Staley’s Brogan Donaldson missed a difficult scoop shot, and the Cadets slowed down to take the last shot of the frame. Rob Martin drove, absorbed the contact, got the bucket and drew a foul, all in the final 30 seconds. Staley was unable to answer, and held scarcely onto a 40-39 lead. 

“With our schedule this year, we’ve been through it all. Not many teams have had late game trips like we have. So in timeouts, it’s a talk of resiliency, and staying calm when it comes down to it.” said head coach Justin Tatum, on what he told his team going into the final frame. 

Tatum’s tutelage definitely made a difference in the Cadets fourth quarter - a period they would outscore the Falcons, 17-10. The Cadets ran sets to get Bol open touches at the basket on looping passes from the elbow. Those conversions led to a 43-40 lead early in the quarter. 

Staley’s star junior guard Kyan Evans, who finished with 19, saw a significant drop in volume from earlier in the contest, mostly due to the Cadets constant pursuit of 2-3 defenders on every drive. The concentrated effort opened up for supporting members, the biggest of which, Larry Parker III, to heat up. Parker flourished when being left on the weak side while his defender chased after Evans, and he hit a clutch corner three to pull within one, 43-42. 

Next came the back-and-forth. Both teams traded blows, resulting in a 48-48 tie with just 3:12 to play. The first domino fell when Mikhail Abdul-Hamid broke through the Falcons zone defense to connect from deep. The Falcons had trouble matching, as Evans turned it over, and Cadets milked having no shot clock to worry about.

The Cadets couldn’t convert on the long possession, turning it over, and allowing for Asa Bridges to put the Falcons within 1. The Falcons had a chance to take the lead, when Kayden Fish pulled up over a sagging Bol and missed off the front iron. Bol corralled the rebound, and with under a minute to play, CBC had the ball, and the lead. Martin managed the game down to :34.4 and hit two free throws to give the Falcons one last chance at a three to tie. It was Parker to take on a swing for Evans. Parker pulled it just short. 

The No. 5-ranked Cadets (9-5) would hit two last free throws to escape, 55-50. CBC next takes the court at Cane Ridge High School for a tournament. 

From the time lineups were announced, it was the Evans show early. Evans poured in the first seven for the Falcons, hitting a tough shot from behind the arc, as well as slicing by Rob Martin for a nifty inside hand finish. Staley held tough the first, and led the Cadets, 20-15. Evans had 12 in the opening frame. 

The Cadets slowed down what promised to be a fast pace game. However, they were unable to stifle the Falcons high powered attack, and trailed 31-26 at the break. 

The Falcons (12-2) look to avenge only their second loss in Liberty’s CW Stessman Tournament, beginning Tuesday. 

CBC (56)

Martin 6 6-8 20, Hughes Jr 6 4-7 17, Bol 4 0-0 8, Abdul-Hamid 1 0-0 2, Huston 2 0-0 5, Binion 1 0-0 2, Holmes 1 0-0 2. Totals 21 10-15 56.

Staley (50)

Evans 5 6-8 19, Parker 4 0-0 8, Fish 1 3-4 5, Bridges 2 2-4 8, Byrd 3 0-0 6, Manyawu 2 0-0 4. Totals 17 11-16 50.

By Quarters

CBC      15 11 13 17 - 56
Staley  20 11  9 10 - 50