Ansley/Litchfield qualified for the boys state basketball tournament Tuesday night by claiming the D1-8 district championship with a 56-46 win over Bancroft Rosalie. It is the second trip to the state tournament as a co-op for Ansley/Litchfield after qualifying for the first time two years ago in 2021. Only four players scored for the Spartans but it was enough as three of the four finished in double figures. Luke Bailey led the way with a game high 21 points. Leyton Rohde finished with 14 points, Zach Loy had 12, and Ryan Bailey had nine points to account for the Ansley/Litchfield scoring. A/L improves to 19-5 on the season. Joining Ansley/Litchfield in the D1 tournament field will be North Platte St. Pat’s, Maywood Hayes Center, Johnson Brock, Elm Creek, Dundy County Stratton, Howells Dodge, and Mead. Ansley/Litchfield will play their opening game at the tournament on Wednesday (March 8th). All Ansley/Litchfield games from the tournament will be broadcast on KBBN 95.3 FM and on kbbn.com.
The Mullen Broncos fell just short in their bid for a fourth straight trip to the state tournament. Santee defeated Mullen in overtime 61-55 to claim the D2-8 district championship. The game was tight throughout as it was tied at the end of the first quarter, tied at halftime, and Mullen led 37-36 after three quarters. The Broncos led late but missed a couple of critical free throws down the stretch in regulation which could have made it a two possession game. That left the door open for Santee as Justus Denney hit a three in the final seconds to force overtime. Santee outscored Mullen 14-8 in the overtime period to qualify for the state tournament for the first time in school history. Mullen was led by Clayton Moore who had an outstanding game finishing with a game high 27 points. Mullen ends the season at 17-6.
