Tyler Harris finished a point shy of breaking the single-game scoring record for the Poplar Bluff Showdown in the opening game of the 31st annual tournament Wednesday.
The senior from Cordova (Tenn.) scored 44 in playing three quarters of a 90-51 win over Bradley Tech of Milwaukee. Harris, who sank 9 of 14 shots from 3-point range and all seven of his free throws, ended up a point behind Robin Cude's 45-point game in 1992 for Obion County (Tenn.). It was the first 40-point game in the Showdown in a decade.
The Wolves (10-3) advanced to play the host Mules, a 66-61 winner over Fayetteville (Ark.), in Thursday's semifinal.
The other semifinal features defending champion Jonesboro (Ark.) and CBC of St. Louis.
The Hurricanes beat Christian County (Ky.) 72-58 in a matchup of former Showdown champions while CBC beat Humboldt (Tenn.) 75-59.
Each of the previous three Showdowns opened with at least two games decided by single digits. There were nearly none Wednesday as host Mules led by 13 a minute into the fourth quarter before Fayetteville stormed back.
Harris, who came into the tournament averaging 32 points per game, sank a trio of first-quarter 3-pointers as Cordova took a 21-12 lead. He had 23 points by halftime as the Wolves led 51-24. In the third quarter, Harris showed his range by sinking a pair of 3-pointers from the volleyball line from straightaway and he splashed in his final triple from the corner in the closing seconds of the third before a drive to the basket put Cordova up 82-43.
Marquis Wagner added 10 points and Julian Hibbler scored eight off the bench in the second half.
Tech, making its first Showdown appearance, got 13 points from Mikell Cooper, 10 from Anthony Deberry and nine by Montavis Henry.
JONESBORO 72,
CHRISTIAN COUNTY 58
Tony Hutson scored 10 of his 25 points in the third quarter as the Hurricanes pulled away in the second half.
Jonesboro, which won the Showdown last season among its 32-0 state title run and in 2012, led 34-31 at halftime. By the start of the fourth, the Hurricanes led by nine but Christian County, the 1998 champion, got within five with six minutes remaining.
Jonesboro (8-1) answered with an 16-3 run led by Desi Sills. The senior who has signed with the University of Arkansas scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth.
Christian County's Detorrion Ware scored eight first-quarter points before picking up his second foul. The senior was whistled for a fourth foul early in the third quarter but finished the game with 21 points. Fred Tandy scored 14 for the Colonels (8-2) while Mikeon Mathis added 10.
There were five lead changes and six ties until Jonesboro 12-5 run to end the third quarter.
CBC 75, HUMBOLDT 59
The Cadets had eight players score five or more points and held Humboldt without a field goal for nearly five minutes in the third quarter.
CBC used an 18-4 run to pull away after the Vikings tied the game at 40-all with 6:20 left in the third quarter.
Caleb Love scored 13 points to lead the Cadets (4-4) while Will Shumpert and Josh Wallace each added 10 points.
Anthony Jones scored 22 points to lead the Vikings (9-4) while Justin Pankey added 19.
The tournament is sponsored by First Midwest Bank among 40 area businesses.
-- BRIAN ROSENER