Bullpups fall to Blue Valley West 54-47
McPherson staged a thrilling, but ultimately doomed, comeback attempt in the fourth quarter
For more than half a century, the McPherson Invitational has showcased some of the finest high school basketball talent in Kansas. Since its inception in 1965, the tournament has grown into a midseason highlight, and McPherson High School’s storied Roundhouse has served as center stage for countless classic showdowns. Saturday night added another chapter to that history when the Blue Valley West Jaguars bested the McPherson Bullpups, 54-47, in the championship game of the 61st edition of this prestigious event.
McPherson entered the invitational seeking its 26th tournament title in school history. Blue Valley West, meanwhile, appeared in only its second McPherson Invitational championship game. The Jaguars made the most of their previous title shot, defeating the Bullpups in the 2012 final.
Over the years, McPherson has generally held the upper hand in head-to-head meetings with Blue Valley West, but the Jaguars’ victory in 2012 foreshadowed another tightly contested battle in 2025.
Among the Jaguars’ standouts was junior forward Lawson McGraw, who has garnered significant recruiting attention as a football prospect. McGraw, listed at 6-foot-4 and possessing formidable athleticism, has already fielded multiple Division I scholarship offers, including overtures from Kansas, Kansas State, Cornell and several other D1 programs.
Blue Valley West rode hot perimeter shooting in the first half, knocking down nine three-pointers overall and seizing a 28-23 lead at halftime. McPherson, now 9-2 on the season, fell behind by as many as 13 late in the third quarter. However, behind the scoring burst of senior guard Gabe Pyle, the Bullpups went on a run that electrified the Roundhouse, trimming the deficit and even leading by one point midway through the fourth quarter.
Pyle, who was named Tournament MVP, poured in a game-high 23 points. He connected on five three-pointers and offered clutch defensive plays that helped McPherson claw back into contention. Junior forward Ian Razak added 10 points in the paint, while point guard Jett Pyle contributed nine.
On the other side, Blue Valley West protected its slim lead down the stretch with timely free-throw shooting from Brandon Kirk and Luke Goodale. McGraw added key rebounds and inside baskets, helping the Jaguars finish strong. Tyler Peterson, the 6-foot-7 senior center, also cleaned up on the glass to preserve possession in the closing moments.
Source: Ad Astra Radio
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