Charleston boys basketball team captures state title No. 11

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Charleston boys basketball team won its 11th state championship late Saturday night at Mizzou Arena.

The Bluejays defeated Hogan Prep 79-73 to win the Class 3 state title.

"We come up here to win it all," Charleston coach Danny Farmer said. "I know after [Thursday] night there was a little doubt for some people, but I think that game helped us come out tonight and play hard and leave our guts out on the court. That's what we wanted to do was leave our guts out on the court, and I think our kids did that tonight."

Charleston squeaked by Mt. Vernon 58-56 in Thursday's state semifinal.

"When you don't play very well and you have a good team, it gets to them," Farmer said. "And when it gets to them, it motivates them to come out and play better the next time."

Senior Greg Tucker led Charleston with 27 points and five rebounds. He was 15 of 19 from the free-throw line.

Charleston shot 47 free throws in the contest, a new state record for a state championship game. The Bluejays made 30 of the free throws.

"We didn't mind getting into a free-throw shooting contest against them," Farmer said.

Hogan Prep made 18 of its 29 free throws in the game.

Jamaul Gray had 14 points and 12 rebounds for Charleston.

"It was a Jamaul-type game," Farmer said. "That's what we've been looking for from Jamaul. He sprained his ankle late in the season and this was the first time he's played up to par since then."

Charleston finished the season 31-2.

"It's just an amazing feeling coming from all the hard work we've put in through the season and over the years," Tucker said. "Especially to go out on top as a senior, it's just an amazing feeling to go out on top."