The drought is over for the McLouth boys’ basketball team as the Bulldogs are headed back to the state tournament for the first time since 1960 after claiming the 2A Valley Heights sub-state championship Saturday over Republic County 58-33.

The Bulldogs jumped out in front with a 13-8 first quarter and pushed their lead to 13 points at the half behind 10 first half points from Garrison Pope.

McLouth put the game out of reach with a 13-7 third quarter and iced the game away in the fourth with Pope going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line in the fourth.

Pope led all scoreres Saturday night with 24 points, while Jaxson Pope added 11.

McLouth now heads to the state tournament for the fourth time in school history and look to get back to the final four which they haven’t done since 1955.

The Bulldogs (18-5) drew the sixth seed at state and will face off against 3-seed St. Marys-Colgan (19-3) Wednesday at 4:45 pm in Hays at Gross Memorial Coliseum.