Author Spotlight
The Harbinger Staff
Game Summary:
In a hard fought substate semifinal, the Lancers and Mustangs were in a defensive battle tonight from the opening tip. The Mustangs took an 8-0 lead early in the first quarter, before a furious Lancer rally put East in front 10-8 by the middle of the second quarter. Neither team could get much going offensively in the second quarter. Turnovers and missed shots plagued both teams and it was a close one at the half, with the Mustangs leading 12-10.
The third quarter was much of the same for the Lancers as they continued to struggle on the offensive end. Then, Shawn Hair’s club began pounding the ball inside to sophomore Billy Sutherland, who would score all nine of his points in the second half.
The fourth quarter was frantic, and as neither team was able to gain a sizable lead, the stage was set for a close finish. While sophomore Vance Wentz didn’t reach his 15 points per game average, he was able to net 13 points. With under three minutes to go, the Lancers trailed by three, and their only three pointer of the game came from sophomore Chase Hanna for the team’s first basket. Wentz got the ball off a screen and rose up for a deep three that dropped through the net.
The Mustangs’ Ross Thornton would go on to get fouled and make one of two free throws, tying the game at 32. Sophomore Zach Schneider grabbed the rebound after Thornton’s miss on his second attempt, and Schneider was fouled. The Mustangs were in the bonus, and Schneider was sent to the line for one-and-one. Schneider sunk both, and the Mustangs’ game-tying shots all fell short, including a last-gasp heave by senior guard Danny Dolan. East fans rushed the court to celebrate with the team. The win eliminated Blue Valley North from state competition. Lancers 34, Mustangs 32.
Make sure to tune in Friday as the boys will play another game on the road to Wichita.
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