Carver Military Academy

Missing free throws cost No. 20 Carver Wednesday night.

Milwaukee South rallied to beat the Challangers 45-43 in overtime to claim the Class 3A/4A division title in the 61st Kankakee Holiday Tournament.

Carver coach Johnnail Evans saw it as a chance to learn. ``Free throws win championships,'' he said. ``If you don't execute free throws, you don't win. Hopefully, today showed that. That is the worst we have ever done.''

Carver hit only 4-of-15 free throws.

The Challengers (12-2) had chances to seal the game in regulation at the line, but both Jerome Jacobs and DeShawn Delaney missed the front end of one-and-ones in the final 20 seconds of regulation.

``Definitely we want Delaney on the line,'' Evans said.

Delaney, who scored 10, was only 2-of-9 from the line. Michael Burgins led the Challengers with 13 points. Delaney pulled down 10 rebounds.

Andre Walton made a layup for Milwaukee South at the buzzer to tie the game at 38. In overtime, Joshua Dean and Delaney both missed two free throws for Carver.

Meanwhile, Matt Mire put on a show for Milwaukee South (6-1), which was making its first Kankakee Holiday Tournament appearance. The 6-2 senior guard not only guarded Delaney much of the time, but led the Cardinals with 22 points.

``Milwaukee South finished the game,'' Evans said.

Carver appeared to take control in the second quarter when Delaney's three-point play made it 21-14 at the half.

In overtime, Milwaukee South built a 43-38 lead, but the Challengers' defense allowed them to have a desperation shot at the final buzzer.

Carver was trying to claim its fourth Kankakee title. It last won the tournament in 2004, and laid claim to the last two titles of when the tournament was one class in 1992 and '93.

Deer Creek-Mackinaw beat Herscher 51-39 for the 1A/2A title.