Catholic falls just short in bid for state title

Irish luck and a home-crowd advantage at JQH Arena were not enough for Springfield Catholic to capture the program’s first state championship banner at the Show-Me Showdown on Friday afternoon.

Cam’ron Fletcher scored 19 points and hit key buckets to lead the Vashon Wolverines to their first Class 3 state championship, as Vashon defeated the Irish, 69-59, in front of a packed house at the Q. The championship is the 11th title for Vashon — a perennial power from St. Louis — as the Wolverines moved down from Class 4 this season.

Mario McKinney — a senior who has committed to the University of Missouri and cousin of former Tigers star Jimmy McKinney — scored a team-high 23 points. Jake Branham…