By Fred Liggett
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The second night of action in the 50th Summit Grill Shootout began with a one-possession win by St. Michael’s and ended with a one-overtime loss by tourney host Lee’s Summit. The action began with the St. Michael’s Guardians improving to 7-7 on the season with a 52-49 win over Raytown South. The fourth and final game of the day finished in overtime as the Lee’s Summit Tigers lost to Raytown 64-63 and fall to 8-5 on the season.
After all the games were completed the schedule for Friday night’s final round was all set. The day begins at 4 p.m. with the seventh place game between Raytown South (4-10) up against Ruskin (4-9). The fifth place game tips off at 5:30 p.m. with St, Michael’s (7-7) vs KC Washington. Washington advanced to the game thanks to a 65-50 win over Ruskin. The third place game set for 7 p.m. finds tourney host Lee’s Summit (8-5) playing Columbia Rock Bridge. The Bruins lost to LS West 55-43 on Wednesday night. The title game has an 8:30 p.m. tip time and it’s the defending champions Raytown Blue Jays (11-2) facing LS West Titans (5-9) for the 2025 tournament championship.
The Titans have won by eight over St. Michael’s and by 12 over Columbia Rock Bridge to advance to Friday’s title game. First year head coach Kyle Lower admits he is “glad we got invited” and is “happy to be here.” Lower adds the tournament is “a good opportunity” for his team. The Titans never trailed in their win over the Bruins on Wednesday night and Lower felt “was a glimpse of what we can be.” Lower feels the team “finally came through, am really encouraged.” Lower states the Titans “have battled, not with a full roster.”
Friday’s game schedule finds at 4 p.m. – Raytown South vs Ruskin, 5:30 p.m. – Washington vs St. Michael’s, 7 p.m. – Columbia Rock Bridge vs Lee’s Summit, 8:30 p.m. – Lee’s Summit West vs Raytown.
