Tri-County Conference champions

The 2016-17 Nevada Middle School eighth-grade basketball team, champions of the Tri-County Conference, pictured front row from left: Wesley Balk, Ty Thomas, Trey Moore, Elijah Nadurata, and Kaden Denney. Back row: Lane McNeley, Riley Trotter, Ben Hines, Lane Wilson, Logan Applegate, Logan McNeley, and head coach Lance Sargent. (Submitted photo)

NEOSHO, Mo. ---- The Nevada Tigers eighth-grade basketball team rolled to a 45-24 victory over Webb City on Thursday night in the Tri-County Conference tournament title game.

Nevada (13-1), the regular-season and tournament champions, were led by center Ben Hines who finished with a game-high 16 points, while point guard Logan Applegate chipped in 13.

The Tigers are actually repeat champions, as the same group concluded last season 15-0 overall en route to TCC regular-season and conference championships. Over the past two seasons, the Tigers have gone 28-1.

The eighth-grade B-team also had an excellent season. After dropping its first three games, the B-team Tigers finished the season with eight consecutive victories.

Nevada Tigers' eighth-grade point guard Logan Applegate slashes into the lane and elevates during Thursday night's 45-24 championship game triumph over Webb City. (Submitted photo)

"This was a fun group to coach," Nevada head coach Lance Sargent said after Thursday night's victory."