Eugene Boys Basketball wins school’s first-ever state championship

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

For the first time in any sport, Eugene High School has been crowned a state champion.

Eugene Boys Basketball (28-4) defeated Canton (25-6) in the MSHSAA Class 2 Show-Me Showdown 72-61 to clinch its first state title in school history.

Thursday's game featured 11 lead changes, but the Eagles rallied at the most critical time. Eugene and Canton were tied 51-51 with less than six minutes left in the contest, but head coach Brian Wilde's team posted 12 straight points to sprint away with a late 12-point lead, guiding the Eagles to glory.

Justice Allen hit seven three-pointers and scored 31 points, including a 20-point performance in the first half. Isaac Busch also surpassed the 20-point mark, finishing with 23 points. Ethan Wunderlich was the third player for the Eagles to crack double figures, dropping 14 points.

Eugene's slightly more efficient scoring effort was a difference-maker. The Eagles shot 52.5% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range while Canton ended the game with a .489 field goal percentage and 6-for-17 from beyond the arc.

Coach Wilde's team will be on state title defense for the first time in its history when the 2025-26 season begins in November.