Waltonville outlasts Christopher for spot in Turkey Tournament title game


Darren Kinnard
Section618.com

CHRISTOPHER — Seth Karnes scored 19 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter and overtime helping Waltonville rally to beat the host Bearcats 52-46 in OT to clinch the first spot in the championship game of the 48th annual Christopher Turkey Tournament.

Wayne City will face Webber in the second semifinal Friday night.

Christopher led 24-19 after three quarters, but Waltonville scored five straight to open the fourth to tie the game 24-24. After the Bearcats went back up 30-26, the Spartans scored six of the next seven points to grab a 32-31 lead. Bearcats’ senior Trey Cole answered with a three-point play with 43.3 seconds to play for a 34-32 lead. Cole led all scorers with 28 points.

Waltonville tied it back up on two free throws by Makabe Devor, and this one headed to overtime tied 34-34.

Karnes started OT with a driving bucket and one to put the Spartans on top. Karnes was 12-13 from the free throw line in overtime. Waltonville wound up 24-29 from the line for the game.

Freshmen Kyle Cooper and Gage Peterson scored 11 points apiece for Waltonville.

Earlier in the night, NCOE defeated Thompsonville 57-46 in the consolation bracket.