In an electrifying semifinal match, the second-seeded Arcadia Valley Tigers triumphed over the West County Bulldogs 58-55 in overtime at the 99th Arcadia Valley Thanksgiving Tournament on November 22, 2023. This victory marks Arcadia Valley’s return to the tournament final for the first time since their championship win in 2009.
Senior guard Kaiden Keith played a pivotal role, scoring 27 points and securing nine rebounds. With three starters having fouled out, Keith seized control during the crucial overtime period. He remained flawless from the field after halftime and delivered the decisive layup with just 14 seconds remaining in the extra period.
The game reached a dramatic climax when reserve guard Brayton Jarvis hit a corner 3-pointer, breaking a 51-51 tie with just over a minute to go. West County’s Brody Simily responded swiftly by scoring a basket to give the Bulldogs a 55-54 lead. However, Keith’s quick transition play led to the game-winning layup, followed by two free throws that sealed the match.
The Bulldogs, who had entered the fourth quarter with a 36-27 advantage, were unable to hold onto their lead. Simily led West County with 15 points, while the team struggled at the free-throw line, finishing with 24 successful attempts out of 43 compared to Arcadia Valley’s 13 of 27.
Tempers flared during the game, notably when Seth Culkin and Camden Brandel received technical fouls after a scuffle for a loose ball, while Arcadia Valley guard Braiden Racer dealt with an ankle injury.
Despite the intense atmosphere, the Tigers capitalized on key turnovers, executing an 11-0 run that shifted the momentum in their favor. Keith’s contributions were significant in this stretch, particularly after Logan Dunn added a crucial putback to tie the game at 36-36.
The final moments of regulation were chaotic, with both teams exchanging leads. West County regained a slight edge with a 3-point play from Simily, but Arcadia Valley’s Evan Inman quickly countered with a 3-pointer of his own, demonstrating the back-and-forth nature of the contest.
In a closely contested matchup, Arcadia Valley ultimately emerged victorious, setting the stage for a championship face-off against South Iron, who defeated Fredericktown 43-39 in the other semifinal. South Iron, led by Casen Chilton with 15 points, will be looking to defend their title against a reinvigorated Arcadia Valley squad.
In the consolation bracket, Bismarck overcame Ellington 57-51, with Austin Dunlap scoring 21 points to lead his team. Bismarck will compete against Clearwater in the fifth-place game, showcasing the depth of talent present at this year’s Thanksgiving Tournament.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the championship game, promising an exciting conclusion to this storied event.
