SALINA, Kan. – McPherson High School senior Gabe Pyle hit his second game-winning buzzer beater at the Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina at the State Semifinals, giving McPherson the 52-50 double overtime victory over formerly unbeaten Ottawa and sending the Bullpups to their third straight State Championship appearance.
McPherson made it to the semifinal after Pyle won the quarterfinal game over Baldwin at the buzzer in overtime, while #1 Ottawa beat down Atchison Wednesday. Both teams had great offensive showings, trading three-pointers out of the gate as McPherson would end up with a 29-28 lead at halftime. After a strong comeback from Ottawa, leading by as much as seven points, McPherson tied the game to end the third quarter after an Ashton Malm buzzer beater.
Then, in flooded the game of chess. McPherson had a two-point lead with six minutes in the 4th quarter before Ottawa tied it up. Those points would end up being the last until the very end of the game. With 3:30 remaining, McPherson took advantage of there being no shot clock and ran the clock down to get the final shot, but Ashton Malm missed a floater at the buzzer to send McPherson to another overtime.
Much of the same happened in the first extra period. Each team held the clock and tried to get a shot, but Ottawa would have the ball with a chance to win after running 90 seconds off of the clock. Their shot to win missed at the buzzer, forcing a second overtime.
Both teams had more opportunities in the second overtime, but McPherson saw themselves with the ball with about a minute remaining. Head Coach Kurt Kinnamon called a timeout with about 15 seconds remaining to draw up a play. The play ended up in the hands of Gabe Pyle again, who drive to the left elbow, spun, put up a shot, and scored again at the buzzer to win the game 52-50.
McPherson Magic x2
Gave Pyle (@GabrielPyle24) hits another game-winner! This time in double overtime against unbeaten Ottawa to send the the Bullpups back to the State Championship!#KSPreps pic.twitter.com/HY79lSZY4i
— Lane Gillespie (@LaneGillPxP) March 14, 2025
The win for McPherson sends them to the State Championship game for the third year in a row and for the 29th time in school history. They’ll look to win their 15th State Title, including their second in a row, Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
