NEW MADRID BOYS WIN STATE TITLE; PB GIRLS FALL

COLUMBIA -- Ronland Ranson scored 29 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to help New Madrid County Central beat Park Hill South 68-55 Saturday to capture the Missouri Class 3A boys basketball championship.

The game was tied 42-42 after three quarters, but NMCC went on a 10-0 run to begin the fourth. Park Hill South (18-12) was called for 28 fouls compared to just nine for NMCC (23-6). That translated into 20 more points at the line for the Eagles.

John Howell scored 23 points, including 15 in the second half, for the Panthers. The Panthers were without Tommy Hottovy, their leading rebounder, because of an injury suffered in practice Saturday morning.

NMCC outrebounded Park Hill South 47-27, with 26 offensive rebounds.

Ricky Smith and Dereke Tipler both added 14 points for the Eagles.

Poplar Bluff girls fall in 4A final

COLUMBIA -- Tiffany Stewart scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Eureka beat Poplar Bluff 52-36 to captured its first Class 4A girls championship Saturday night.

Shooting was the difference, with Eureka hitting 44 percent from the floor, and Poplar Bluff making only 29 percent. The Wildcats also outrebounded them 40 to 30.

The Wildcats took a 30-18 lead into halftime, and never let the Mules (24-4) get within nine points during the second half.

Adie Viefhaus added 11 for Eureka (28-3).

Poplar Bluff was led by Nicole Rivers, who scored 14 points and had seven rebounds. The Mules were haunted by 1-for-13 shooting from 3-point range.

Vashon claims 4A boys crown

COLUMBIA -- Jimmy McKinney had 19 points as Vashon beat DeSmet 56-50 for the Class 4A boys championship Saturday night in a flip-flop of last season's tournament.

In a rematch of last year's final, which DeSmet won 70-64, Vashon (27-2) took a 14-13 lead in the second quarter and never relinquished it.

Vashon's lead grew to 39-24 early in the fourth quarter, but a furious DeSmet (26-6) comeback cut it to 47-46 with 1:51 left to play. McKinney scored seven points after that, however, and DeSmet made only one 3-pointer as its comeback attempt fell short.

Joe Ries scored 21 points and grabbed 15 rebounds for DeSmet.

Lorenzo Gordon had 16 points for Vashon.

The victory gave Vashon its seventh state title.

Nixa captures 3A girls title

COLUMBIA -- Hope Hunt scored 16 points Saturday as Nixa beat Savannah 67-51 to win the Class 3A girls championship. It marked the third straight season that Savannah has lost in the championship game.

The game was tied only once, at 2-2, and Nixa (31-1) led the rest of the way. Shooting was the difference, with the Eagles hitting 54 percent from the field, and Savannah (26-4) making only 29 percent.

Terianne Wolford added 15 points and Courtney Brent had 14 for Nixa, which was making its first-ever championship game appearance.

Taren O'Brien led Savannah with 12 points.

In the consolation game, Visitation Academy overcame 29 turnovers and beat Bishop DuBourg 51-47. Jenny Maurer led Visitation with 14 points.