McLouth, the No. 6 seed, trailed No. 3 Wellsville, 52-49 in the final two minutes of the game in Wellsville.

But free throws down the stretch saved the Eagles and WHS advanced with a 59-51 victory.

Wellsville improved to 14-7 and advanced to the semifinals, while McLouth finished its season at 6-15.

“We gave them everything they wanted and more,” MHS coach Chad Brown said. “We played really well.”

Wellsville hit 10 of 11 free throws in the fourth quarter on its way to the victory.

The Bulldogs actually had a two-point lead heading into the fourth, but couldn’t hold on.

Trevor Keling led MHS in scoring with 19, while Kevin Stewart had 11.

Brown said the squad responded well in the substate game.

“We challenged the players before the game to play their best game of the season, work together, communicate and work hard on the court and we did that,” Brown said. “We gave ourselves a great opportunity to win that game. It was our best game of the season.”

Jimmy Steffey, Kevin Stewart and Ricky Kelley played in their final games in McLouth uniforms.

The Bulldogs, though will return three juniors and a sophomore from this year’s squad with plenty of varsity experience. Juniors Trevor Keling, Lance Lamborn and Andrew Booth, and sophomore Mark Stewart should lead next year’s squad.

“We have a great nucleus going into next year,” Brown said.

KC Christian 67, McLouth 59

If the Bulldogs just could have thrown out the first quarter.

KC Christian opened up 23-7 in the first quarter and never looked back. During the second and third quarters, the Panthers only outscored the Bulldogs, 29-28.

Throw in a 24-15 fourth quarter advantage for MHS and it was a rally that just fell short.

Andrew Booth had a career-high 22 as Kevin Stewart (13), Jimmy Steffey (12) and Trevor Keling (10) also were in double figures.

Jackson Heights 98, MHS 81

What a wild one at Jackson Heights.

The home team opened the game with a 33-point first quarter as McLouth fell to Jackson Heights, 98-81.

McLouth fought back with 20 in the second and third quarters and a 30-point fourth, but the Bulldogs couldn’t overcome the early deficit in their largest offensive output of the season.

Trevor Keling and Andrew Booth each scored career highs with 23 and 22 respectively, but MHS couldn’t contain the Cobras’ Reid Williams, who scored a whopping 39.

“It definitely was an exciting one,” MHS coach Chad Brown said. “The fans got their money’s worth on that one.”

Williams, the Jackson Heights standout, turned his ankle during the second quarter and was used sparingly after that.

It definitely was an exciting game.

McLouth got to within 12 on three occasions in the second half, but never could cut the lead to single digits.

“Even in the loss it was something for the kids to experience a high-scoring game and get the feel for that,” Brown said.

McLouth had great night from the free-throw line despite the loss. The Bulldogs were 22-for-26.

Linescores
KC Christian 67, McLouth 59

Score by quarters
KC Christian 23 14 15 15 — 67
McLouth 7 15 13 24 — 59

KC Christian — Casemier 18, Pesladek 9, McEldowney 2, Smalley 24, Willis 7, Hunter 3, Pratt 4.
McLouth — K. Stewart 13, Keling 10, M. Stewart 2, Booth 22, Steffey 12.
Three-point goals — KCC: Hunter 1, Pesladek 1; MHS: Booth 2, K. Stewart 1.

Jackson Heights 98, McLouth 81

Score by quarters
McLouth 11 20 20 30 — 81
JHHS 33 15 21 29 — 98

Individual scoring
McLouth — Keling 23, Booth 22, Kelley 13, K. Stewart 13, Steffey 8, M. Stewart 2.
Jackson Heights — Williams 39, Burdiek 12, Edwards 11, Schmitz 9, Rostetter 9, Hufford 8, Rieschick 6, Bachamp 2, Schreiber 2.
Three-point goals — MHS: Keling 1; JHHS: Williams 7, Burdiek 2, Hufford 1.